tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62059560188851094192016-09-07T22:32:27.268-06:00The Peper FamilyTJ and Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450032777571408046noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-52461877750455004352014-07-22T13:24:00.000-06:002014-07-22T13:24:09.920-06:00Before it's overSo even though summer is (much too quickly) coming to an end, I wanted to do a post about what we've done so far (mostly in anticipation of the many posts I will have to do for my family reunion in a few weeks). So, I'll try to do this chronologically....<br /><div><br /></div><div>Most of our summer has been spent just hanging out, going to the Y, and spending time with friends, with some short trips thrown in there.</div><div><br /></div><div>We went to a place called the Exotic Feline Rescue Center with some friends. That was super awesome! We were so close to all of these amazing animals!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8P2azLCW80/U86x2MMBw7I/AAAAAAAAC9c/pwiBndZV8Lk/s1600/IMG_1377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8P2azLCW80/U86x2MMBw7I/AAAAAAAAC9c/pwiBndZV8Lk/s1600/IMG_1377.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywr2n2Yduug/U86xuEB7pBI/AAAAAAAAC88/GMU5Lh4t9Is/s1600/IMG_1391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywr2n2Yduug/U86xuEB7pBI/AAAAAAAAC88/GMU5Lh4t9Is/s1600/IMG_1391.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xH9P3B5cCw/U86xvo0DKvI/AAAAAAAAC9A/RMsNgyBCdUw/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xH9P3B5cCw/U86xvo0DKvI/AAAAAAAAC9A/RMsNgyBCdUw/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7JsW1hq_UE/U86xz5i3ElI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/D5JG6yi8RHc/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7JsW1hq_UE/U86xz5i3ElI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/D5JG6yi8RHc/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We made a trip up to the Children's museum in Indy, and Steven hasn't stopped talking about it since &nbsp;(and it happened in May...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjKRBrvpVfA/U86yYxnNGyI/AAAAAAAAC9k/EEucFBJvBQg/s1600/IMG_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjKRBrvpVfA/U86yYxnNGyI/AAAAAAAAC9k/EEucFBJvBQg/s1600/IMG_0247.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We also, unfortunately, made a trip to the hospital when Steven stuck a tiny, clear lego up his nose. That was fun! Even though the doctors couldn't find it, the lego worked its way out and made an appearance two days later when he blew his nose. gross....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--94u2MF8iRc/U86xzFOoArI/AAAAAAAAC9U/FEI_wIE1hzc/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--94u2MF8iRc/U86xzFOoArI/AAAAAAAAC9U/FEI_wIE1hzc/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We've explored many of the parks here in Bloomington - mostly with some meal involved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uvuPlkuf0g/U86y2AnWM3I/AAAAAAAAC9s/YpapJ0FAYYE/s1600/IMG_1442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uvuPlkuf0g/U86y2AnWM3I/AAAAAAAAC9s/YpapJ0FAYYE/s1600/IMG_1442.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We spent a few saturdays trying to clean out the garage, and even though we didn't get it all finished, I think we got a lot accomplished! We did have to come up with some creative ways to keep the kids busy...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkaYWn-4GrM/U861JYdCD8I/AAAAAAAAC94/tVssijNcXbE/s1600/IMG_1454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkaYWn-4GrM/U861JYdCD8I/AAAAAAAAC94/tVssijNcXbE/s1600/IMG_1454.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ar9ZFgEikKI/U861OQYLbwI/AAAAAAAAC-A/iOw44g5y3mg/s1600/IMG_1456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ar9ZFgEikKI/U861OQYLbwI/AAAAAAAAC-A/iOw44g5y3mg/s1600/IMG_1456.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier this year I was called as the Assistant Stake Girl Camp Director. It was pretty stressful since I haven't been to girls camp in about 10 years, and we had about 1/3 of the time that we should have to plan it. But, in the middle of June, it finally happened! I thought it went great and it was so much fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PMgmLPiKjQ/U8611A1hn6I/AAAAAAAAC-I/_7-qki3vSbA/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PMgmLPiKjQ/U8611A1hn6I/AAAAAAAAC-I/_7-qki3vSbA/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" height="201" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTphFX-TUf0/U862BbgAt7I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/WMrJQockZlo/s1600/DSC_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTphFX-TUf0/U862BbgAt7I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/WMrJQockZlo/s1600/DSC_0240.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lu0J5PSybpg/U862NB3HZgI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/EOtXfne0y9A/s1600/DSC05975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lu0J5PSybpg/U862NB3HZgI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/EOtXfne0y9A/s1600/DSC05975.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We have spent a LOT of time playing with all of Grandma's awesome toys in the basement.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iwGCWIWrcg/U862yCuyQaI/AAAAAAAAC-s/UOeFwnZF8vY/s1600/IMG_1491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iwGCWIWrcg/U862yCuyQaI/AAAAAAAAC-s/UOeFwnZF8vY/s1600/IMG_1491.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-my30Egnm_1E/U862xU_p9wI/AAAAAAAAC-o/ZoryK2pWYJw/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-my30Egnm_1E/U862xU_p9wI/AAAAAAAAC-o/ZoryK2pWYJw/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of June, there was a retirement party for my high school band director, who had been working at Macomb High School for 30 years! I was able to go back to macomb with TJ and the kids and my good friend Lindsay. It was so fun to see people I hadn't seen for years!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8Q50OzsIZI/U863Q6kksiI/AAAAAAAAC-8/Rg4nfeQ7QQY/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o8Q50OzsIZI/U863Q6kksiI/AAAAAAAAC-8/Rg4nfeQ7QQY/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The most recent exciting thing that has happened this summer was our trip to Florida to visit the Wilsons. Even though it was way too long of a drive with my kids, and a pretty short visit, it was so much fun to spend time with them and celebrate Tyler (and PJ's) birthday! Tyler's baptism was awesome, and even though I was put in the program as Julia Rands, I was so grateful to be part of it (especially since I just had to say the closing prayer!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EW18d2RPw4A/U863pHiL5CI/AAAAAAAAC_I/EZYf_llCai4/s1600/IMG_1547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EW18d2RPw4A/U863pHiL5CI/AAAAAAAAC_I/EZYf_llCai4/s1600/IMG_1547.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTLaNRBN-tc/U863qFDvcPI/AAAAAAAAC_U/IKGohZxv9eI/s1600/IMG_1554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTLaNRBN-tc/U863qFDvcPI/AAAAAAAAC_U/IKGohZxv9eI/s1600/IMG_1554.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aP3q0z37xw0/U863zLx-NeI/AAAAAAAAC_c/p0suWSR1FhE/s1600/IMG_1557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aP3q0z37xw0/U863zLx-NeI/AAAAAAAAC_c/p0suWSR1FhE/s1600/IMG_1557.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8GwGZ35GEBg/U8632Rr3g8I/AAAAAAAAC_s/m09LmyVMlzg/s1600/IMG_1561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8GwGZ35GEBg/U8632Rr3g8I/AAAAAAAAC_s/m09LmyVMlzg/s1600/IMG_1561.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYfklqhFJbg/U863zxHJ7WI/AAAAAAAAC_k/NHLoadl8pn4/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iYfklqhFJbg/U863zxHJ7WI/AAAAAAAAC_k/NHLoadl8pn4/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lucy still isn't walking, although she has taken around 3 steps at a time, so hopefully she'll get there soon!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqAaRlX-rmM/U862fTokE1I/AAAAAAAAC-k/E5y-7H3arM0/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqAaRlX-rmM/U862fTokE1I/AAAAAAAAC-k/E5y-7H3arM0/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So that's what we've been up to so far this summer, but we have a lot more coming!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-4670679473535718052014-03-31T23:34:00.000-06:002014-03-31T23:34:34.110-06:00A 4 Year Old??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I figured I should keep going with these posts before I lose steam….</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lvAZ8YsC1Ag/UzpEL6FaGRI/AAAAAAAAC50/VheZlgmKus0/s1600/IMG_6995a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lvAZ8YsC1Ag/UzpEL6FaGRI/AAAAAAAAC50/VheZlgmKus0/s1600/IMG_6995a.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nov 8 2013</td></tr></tbody></table>So before I move on to the events of our next birthday, I wanted to catch up a little on Steven. I figured I would stick with the same format I used for Lucy and talk about a few of the things that Steven loves…<br /><br />Steven is total boy in that he loves anything that goes fast…<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anvqbNRSuq8/UzpFW2bbgjI/AAAAAAAAC6w/MFr6IHKoesg/s1600/IMG_7585a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anvqbNRSuq8/UzpFW2bbgjI/AAAAAAAAC6w/MFr6IHKoesg/s1600/IMG_7585a.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5FeAlJnCvVw/UzpEDRQHigI/AAAAAAAAC5s/1DtBCP23Xdg/s1600/IMG_1170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5FeAlJnCvVw/UzpEDRQHigI/AAAAAAAAC5s/1DtBCP23Xdg/s1600/IMG_1170.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children's museum with the Kilgore's<br />Feb 24, 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4QfQu8aYBU/UzpDkd9GDnI/AAAAAAAAC4E/2HWiDw3a-_Q/s1600/DSC05779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4QfQu8aYBU/UzpDkd9GDnI/AAAAAAAAC4E/2HWiDw3a-_Q/s1600/DSC05779.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March 31. 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><br />He loves his "Yuce." Sometimes he loves her a little too much, but his heart really is in the right place. He is a great helper and has gotten so much better, as time has gone on, at playing with her and keeping her happy. In fact, just today, Lucy would not stop crying at Play and Learn at the YMCA, but when they put her with Steven, she was all better!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQGYSMc9qHs/UzpEA0iFaII/AAAAAAAAC5k/rkEpuinPsUs/s1600/IMG_1108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQGYSMc9qHs/UzpEA0iFaII/AAAAAAAAC5k/rkEpuinPsUs/s1600/IMG_1108.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feb 5, 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjN62nJs59Y/UzpD6rNiA_I/AAAAAAAAC5U/NnmnyVFFdx8/s1600/IMG_1026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjN62nJs59Y/UzpD6rNiA_I/AAAAAAAAC5U/NnmnyVFFdx8/s1600/IMG_1026.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dec 6, 2013</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ze3MTp3DEG0/UzpD3y4WGoI/AAAAAAAAC5E/64Lb6Ij0a5c/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ze3MTp3DEG0/UzpD3y4WGoI/AAAAAAAAC5E/64Lb6Ij0a5c/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and Kellie's wedding<br />Feb 22, 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SBnmkRkfxHI/UzpH1m2hlkI/AAAAAAAAC7s/wG0HtyurQ-E/s1600/IMG_6971a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SBnmkRkfxHI/UzpH1m2hlkI/AAAAAAAAC7s/wG0HtyurQ-E/s1600/IMG_6971a.JPG" height="320" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Besides helping with Lucy, he loves helping in almost every other way, too! He always asks to help with dinner, help with yard work, and so much more!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6daKtRtIw60/UzpD9ZDTWLI/AAAAAAAAC5c/l0Wao3RIHBw/s1600/IMG_1037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6daKtRtIw60/UzpD9ZDTWLI/AAAAAAAAC5c/l0Wao3RIHBw/s1600/IMG_1037.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dec 6, 2013</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This boy loves his cousins! We are so lucky that now that we're living closer to some of his cousins, we get to see them much more often. Plus, living with Grandparents makes this the epicenter for family get-togethers!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBkaR9vkfMs/UzpD5JxSS3I/AAAAAAAAC5M/q6f-2uHhlTM/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBkaR9vkfMs/UzpD5JxSS3I/AAAAAAAAC5M/q6f-2uHhlTM/s1600/IMG_1004.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving in Florida<br />Nov 21, 2013</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And to be a little selfish, I'm going to add in here how much I love him!! With him off at preschool twice a week this year, I definitely value the time we have together a lot more. He's such a smart, loving, talented, handsome boy! He's my bud, and I love having him around.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOIyWICaJSk/UzpFU7cUMQI/AAAAAAAAC6o/VXic0qyq5Qs/s1600/IMG_7369a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOIyWICaJSk/UzpFU7cUMQI/AAAAAAAAC6o/VXic0qyq5Qs/s1600/IMG_7369a.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T93s73Oqp9k/UzpFOslwQxI/AAAAAAAAC6g/C3O1wlqx4N8/s1600/IMG_7113a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T93s73Oqp9k/UzpFOslwQxI/AAAAAAAAC6g/C3O1wlqx4N8/s1600/IMG_7113a.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BK3cpry7hes/UzpEbRxGEdI/AAAAAAAAC6E/fJ_rjSjq1Ls/s1600/IMG_7100b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BK3cpry7hes/UzpEbRxGEdI/AAAAAAAAC6E/fJ_rjSjq1Ls/s1600/IMG_7100b.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCGILZowdCU/UzpEVkMwh2I/AAAAAAAAC58/SZmSUHmOyV8/s1600/IMG_7072a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCGILZowdCU/UzpEVkMwh2I/AAAAAAAAC58/SZmSUHmOyV8/s1600/IMG_7072a.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><br />But do I really have a 4 year old? Man, this is crazy… The birthday festivities continued today with Steven's birthday! Especially after barely being coherent due to pain medication for Steven's birthday last year, I was really feeling the pressure to make this year special for him. I also feel like we're getting to the point where we need to decide what our birthday traditions are going to be. I decided not to do a party, just because I feel like I wouldn't have really known who to invite, and I also just wanted to do some fun stuff with just him! I would like to think he had a great day, because I sure did! TJ made him some chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and then we followed that up with opening presents! Afterwards, all he wanted to do was, of course, play with them. We spent some good quality Mother/Son time building legos and playing angry birds. We got him a "4-year-old haircut," played at the park (which it was finally warm enough to do!!!), ate a cheeseburger and fries for dinner, and came home and had some cake! It was a super fun-filled day, and it really felt nice to have a day just focused on my little, but not so little anymore, man. I love him!!<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PW2DKPpH-zA/UzpFMVzIIeI/AAAAAAAAC6U/Cm-US8Wvx-g/s1600/DSC05726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PW2DKPpH-zA/UzpFMVzIIeI/AAAAAAAAC6U/Cm-US8Wvx-g/s1600/DSC05726.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March 31, 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zxDzUqA9R_s/UzpDaHTW4xI/AAAAAAAAC3s/0_LVqUxEz9s/s1600/DSC05740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zxDzUqA9R_s/UzpDaHTW4xI/AAAAAAAAC3s/0_LVqUxEz9s/s1600/DSC05740.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie3Y-bPb9KQ/UzpFMqGxGgI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/I757H1gdmkI/s1600/DSC05764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie3Y-bPb9KQ/UzpFMqGxGgI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/I757H1gdmkI/s1600/DSC05764.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3M3anDhvjM/UzpDcSl-tHI/AAAAAAAAC30/1y3qcYKwI3I/s1600/DSC05769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3M3anDhvjM/UzpDcSl-tHI/AAAAAAAAC30/1y3qcYKwI3I/s1600/DSC05769.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNOy7KUFhWE/UzpDgknv-ZI/AAAAAAAAC38/bnot7NgVci0/s1600/DSC05773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNOy7KUFhWE/UzpDgknv-ZI/AAAAAAAAC38/bnot7NgVci0/s1600/DSC05773.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DwZEne8ugvE/UzpDn2U0UMI/AAAAAAAAC4M/EpLGNcomllo/s1600/DSC05785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DwZEne8ugvE/UzpDn2U0UMI/AAAAAAAAC4M/EpLGNcomllo/s1600/DSC05785.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ti8O_D7gRZ0/UzpDvTwPIjI/AAAAAAAAC4k/LltU2CXQXuA/s1600/DSC05790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ti8O_D7gRZ0/UzpDvTwPIjI/AAAAAAAAC4k/LltU2CXQXuA/s1600/DSC05790.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjdf90ElaSA/UzpDxDH7w7I/AAAAAAAAC4s/bG-s0QTxH78/s1600/DSC05794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjdf90ElaSA/UzpDxDH7w7I/AAAAAAAAC4s/bG-s0QTxH78/s1600/DSC05794.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lP4ypLTEO0/UzpDyyVwFVI/AAAAAAAAC40/aPmiCzRM9Ko/s1600/DSC05799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lP4ypLTEO0/UzpDyyVwFVI/AAAAAAAAC40/aPmiCzRM9Ko/s1600/DSC05799.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCGoPP4_w9c/UzpD1ZEXxZI/AAAAAAAAC48/3ZNXFWjo9rA/s1600/DSC05806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCGoPP4_w9c/UzpD1ZEXxZI/AAAAAAAAC48/3ZNXFWjo9rA/s1600/DSC05806.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br />Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-27224469252641055182014-03-30T23:36:00.002-06:002014-03-30T23:46:15.574-06:00Lucy is 1!Well I guess I'm really sticking to this semiannual blog update idea… Not one of my best ideas ever, but that just leaves lots of room for improvement.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbrW_oPIdVo/Uzj4hKyTw5I/AAAAAAAAC24/brvQfN06Owk/s1600/IMG_6952a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbrW_oPIdVo/Uzj4hKyTw5I/AAAAAAAAC24/brvQfN06Owk/s1600/IMG_6952a.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Nov 8, 2013)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Today, my baby turned one. I can't even believe it. It's gone by WAY too fast. Just to catch up a little, here are some of the things Lucy loves…<br /><br />She loves eating! She devours anything you put in front of her - puffs, pouches, cupcakes...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ulYGrdayU8/Uzj2zAsBKoI/AAAAAAAAC1g/PEdqr2iWZxc/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ulYGrdayU8/Uzj2zAsBKoI/AAAAAAAAC1g/PEdqr2iWZxc/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time trying puffs<br />(Nov 18, 2013)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1RIgu7BLS0/Uzj1XzqI9gI/AAAAAAAACzo/zb_-CZXjrN0/s1600/DSC05587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1RIgu7BLS0/Uzj1XzqI9gI/AAAAAAAACzo/zb_-CZXjrN0/s1600/DSC05587.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(March 30, 2014)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1o0wSr6-lI/Uzj2sj0i4KI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/_ZaBH1UkATM/s1600/DSC05703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t1o0wSr6-lI/Uzj2sj0i4KI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/_ZaBH1UkATM/s1600/DSC05703.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><br />She loves her brother! Whenever he's around, she's laughing and smiling (except when he inevitably does something to make her cry…), and especially now that she's crawling, she loves playing with him!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLaQHgKOtB0/Uzj25CLbCYI/AAAAAAAAC2A/8mQ6Eivyc-I/s1600/IMG_0284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLaQHgKOtB0/Uzj25CLbCYI/AAAAAAAAC2A/8mQ6Eivyc-I/s1600/IMG_0284.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Dec 24, 2013)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjglVNTac7M/Uzj29tKMZyI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/DnUKrbD-3KY/s1600/IMG_1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjglVNTac7M/Uzj29tKMZyI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/DnUKrbD-3KY/s1600/IMG_1111.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building a fort with Steve<br />(Feb 5, 2014)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />She loves Daddy (and Grandpa)! I can already tell she's gonna be a huge Daddy's girl...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFAD79kV288/Uzj4nwbLNmI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/YRA6aW3M8NE/s1600/IMG_7068a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFAD79kV288/Uzj4nwbLNmI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/YRA6aW3M8NE/s1600/IMG_7068a.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMytWosMlZc/Uzj4iTI78SI/AAAAAAAAC3E/4QGL50mm9cI/s1600/IMG_7048a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMytWosMlZc/Uzj4iTI78SI/AAAAAAAAC3E/4QGL50mm9cI/s1600/IMG_7048a.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ERSxFaR0ZQI/Uzj4i9OxblI/AAAAAAAAC3I/rUw5xrgaNoE/s1600/IMG_7035a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ERSxFaR0ZQI/Uzj4i9OxblI/AAAAAAAAC3I/rUw5xrgaNoE/s1600/IMG_7035a.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><br />She loves her sippy cup. This is a new discovery, but she already gets so excited when she sees it!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qrKezHJMGbw/Uzj3OPVgFEI/AAAAAAAAC2k/RmnzTpzvlIM/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qrKezHJMGbw/Uzj3OPVgFEI/AAAAAAAAC2k/RmnzTpzvlIM/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(March 28, 2014)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />She loves her cousins. They all give her so much attention when she's around them, and she definitely does not complain :)<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmiwPSEuULE/Uzj3NG0SWPI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/Mkrq5lL43Q0/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmiwPSEuULE/Uzj3NG0SWPI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/Mkrq5lL43Q0/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and Kellie's Wedding<br />(Feb 22, 2014 Mt Timpanogas Temple)</td></tr></tbody></table>She loves the beach…<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKaunWZjC3k/Uzj221SW73I/AAAAAAAAC14/E_xfIRZwjTI/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKaunWZjC3k/Uzj221SW73I/AAAAAAAAC14/E_xfIRZwjTI/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida for Thanksgiving<br />(Nov 21, 2013 Mexico Beach, FL)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And last, she hopefully loves hanging out with her mom as much as I love hanging out with her!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i34LN7drMAo/Uzj2u0OsqsI/AAAAAAAAC1c/HxQPcw2L96M/s1600/DSCN1710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i34LN7drMAo/Uzj2u0OsqsI/AAAAAAAAC1c/HxQPcw2L96M/s1600/DSCN1710.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and Kellie's Wedding</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz__PwmJDkw/Uzj26qPlqyI/AAAAAAAAC2I/Vvmv0SKBZuY/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gz__PwmJDkw/Uzj26qPlqyI/AAAAAAAAC2I/Vvmv0SKBZuY/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wwjj9z1DMpg/Uzj3N9AmpNI/AAAAAAAAC2o/avLf2PIt2I4/s1600/IMG_1198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wwjj9z1DMpg/Uzj3N9AmpNI/AAAAAAAAC2o/avLf2PIt2I4/s1600/IMG_1198.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting the Knowles<br />(Feb 28, 2014 Red Rocks, CO)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We had so much fun today celebrating our Yucy's birthday today! Steven loved "helping" her open presents, and also loved eating birthday cupcakes afterwards. Lucy loved eating her birthday cupcake, too!! I figured for her first birthday, a little mini one was just the right size for her!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylyKnCK99Bc/Uzj1s7ATNqI/AAAAAAAACz8/tAw9rv4hlRs/s1600/DSC05626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylyKnCK99Bc/Uzj1s7ATNqI/AAAAAAAACz8/tAw9rv4hlRs/s1600/DSC05626.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bo_2nsOVRbw/Uzj2HbyW1QI/AAAAAAAAC0c/e6W8Cz3G548/s1600/DSC05633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bo_2nsOVRbw/Uzj2HbyW1QI/AAAAAAAAC0c/e6W8Cz3G548/s1600/DSC05633.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHKnMwt9pEE/Uzj2FdNOQhI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/chOJPrzyK8U/s1600/DSC05638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHKnMwt9pEE/Uzj2FdNOQhI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/chOJPrzyK8U/s1600/DSC05638.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nO3VYXRZuVU/Uzj2OgzNp_I/AAAAAAAAC04/tvdORZ2hv7E/s1600/DSC05670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nO3VYXRZuVU/Uzj2OgzNp_I/AAAAAAAAC04/tvdORZ2hv7E/s1600/DSC05670.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttsks-cmUxw/Uzj2PhFm2HI/AAAAAAAAC1E/AkgMB5_dEo0/s1600/DSC05665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ttsks-cmUxw/Uzj2PhFm2HI/AAAAAAAAC1E/AkgMB5_dEo0/s1600/DSC05665.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-csGoM-JF878/Uzj2PBs89CI/AAAAAAAAC08/wElHvLgSHjI/s1600/DSC05677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-csGoM-JF878/Uzj2PBs89CI/AAAAAAAAC08/wElHvLgSHjI/s1600/DSC05677.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2qXErbZFKE/Uzj2FHv3AiI/AAAAAAAAC0U/fzVlPJ6-32g/s1600/DSC05643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2qXErbZFKE/Uzj2FHv3AiI/AAAAAAAAC0U/fzVlPJ6-32g/s1600/DSC05643.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZruQWsVSvc/Uzj2J1AEXeI/AAAAAAAAC0k/itXvw78xTYA/s1600/DSC05651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZruQWsVSvc/Uzj2J1AEXeI/AAAAAAAAC0k/itXvw78xTYA/s1600/DSC05651.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UskdRFv39Ts/Uzj2KXFHK-I/AAAAAAAAC0s/gNp2vxK_Goo/s1600/DSC05661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UskdRFv39Ts/Uzj2KXFHK-I/AAAAAAAAC0s/gNp2vxK_Goo/s1600/DSC05661.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br />Even though there are so many other things I could say about my beautiful daughter, I'm just going to say that I am so happy she's a part of our family. She brings us so much joy, and it's impossible not to smile when she's around! I can already tell she has such a soft heart and has so much love to give. I'm so blessed that I'll get to be a recipient of even a small portion of that love.Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-83613997488482722372013-09-30T21:23:00.004-06:002013-09-30T21:23:27.735-06:00Lucy's 6 monthsWow, so it's really been six months? I can't even believe it. Way too much has happened in that six months, and I feel overwhelmed just thinking about all the catching up I have to do. So, I'm just going to start with today; And today Lucy is 6 months old! So, I'm just going to put up my favorite pictures from the last 6 months and go from there...<br /><br />So even though she was born in Provo, Lucy spent a total of 9 weeks in Utah. We spent as much of that time outside as we could. Lucy Loved it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHAmm-I-nF4/Uko9o0LsTDI/AAAAAAAACeI/zDcpVLLgISM/s1600/2013-05-15+17.24.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHAmm-I-nF4/Uko9o0LsTDI/AAAAAAAACeI/zDcpVLLgISM/s320/2013-05-15+17.24.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lucy loved snuggling with Steven in his crib, and in his new toddler bed at Grandma and Grandpa's house<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZ7-YMslef4/Uko9y2c0h4I/AAAAAAAACe0/lqFySTFuFB4/s1600/2013-05-09+13.29.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZ7-YMslef4/Uko9y2c0h4I/AAAAAAAACe0/lqFySTFuFB4/s320/2013-05-09+13.29.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kmaJzYtoBiU/Uko9qPOVoVI/AAAAAAAACeU/gIIm___t0iY/s1600/2013-06-11+21.38.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kmaJzYtoBiU/Uko9qPOVoVI/AAAAAAAACeU/gIIm___t0iY/s320/2013-06-11+21.38.20.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We blessed her the second sunday in our new ward, and Nana and Papa came too!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzbIOOYQokA/Uko9-IMLtQI/AAAAAAAACgM/STRqaDQvhXY/s1600/IMG_6894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzbIOOYQokA/Uko9-IMLtQI/AAAAAAAACgM/STRqaDQvhXY/s320/IMG_6894.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYSR78oHS9U/Uko-AU8VzjI/AAAAAAAACgg/n4BBLqWrwMU/s1600/IMG_6901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYSR78oHS9U/Uko-AU8VzjI/AAAAAAAACgg/n4BBLqWrwMU/s320/IMG_6901.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />We had family reunions back-to-back, and so Lucy got lots and lots of family love<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rR0UBIdvOvg/Uko9ylG3DsI/AAAAAAAACeo/OMXFcZjWPFE/s1600/2013-06-29+11.31.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rR0UBIdvOvg/Uko9ylG3DsI/AAAAAAAACeo/OMXFcZjWPFE/s320/2013-06-29+11.31.42.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UG_6McumaIQ/Uko9vY-91uI/AAAAAAAACec/CxQetuFJJP4/s1600/2013-06-29+11.43.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UG_6McumaIQ/Uko9vY-91uI/AAAAAAAACec/CxQetuFJJP4/s320/2013-06-29+11.43.32.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O8J2Ne9zIZM/Uko94HEyZZI/AAAAAAAACfc/KBrv7SNmRTM/s1600/20130628_160216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O8J2Ne9zIZM/Uko94HEyZZI/AAAAAAAACfc/KBrv7SNmRTM/s320/20130628_160216.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ot8A0CtUu18/Uko9-ltqpoI/AAAAAAAACgI/GMUgMVEVZpc/s1600/IMG_3786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ot8A0CtUu18/Uko9-ltqpoI/AAAAAAAACgI/GMUgMVEVZpc/s320/IMG_3786.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IalYVcZsHeM/Uko-CLFfEFI/AAAAAAAACgk/VsD_BY-2UtE/s1600/WIL_3272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IalYVcZsHeM/Uko-CLFfEFI/AAAAAAAACgk/VsD_BY-2UtE/s320/WIL_3272.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />She got to see the ocean!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPEcJ4wKdRo/Uko-BJ-NQBI/AAAAAAAACgc/akAeLMEXYJs/s1600/WIL_3425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPEcJ4wKdRo/Uko-BJ-NQBI/AAAAAAAACgc/akAeLMEXYJs/s320/WIL_3425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />She went to her first baseball game, and even though there was a rain delay, Daddy did a great job of keeping her dry :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jks5uqhrjsw/Uko9y0JTOhI/AAAAAAAACe4/6o4yCUNeOEA/s1600/2013-07-10+19.15.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jks5uqhrjsw/Uko9y0JTOhI/AAAAAAAACe4/6o4yCUNeOEA/s320/2013-07-10+19.15.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pM8xUgWqrQE/Uko9033_ZEI/AAAAAAAACfA/MQ9D5y813Rc/s1600/2013-07-10+20.31.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pM8xUgWqrQE/Uko9033_ZEI/AAAAAAAACfA/MQ9D5y813Rc/s320/2013-07-10+20.31.43.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />She got even more attention visiting at Nana and Papa's house<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-293BoAN4ouw/Uko91kxGv4I/AAAAAAAACfQ/QTUb9G0UnCM/s1600/2013-07-23+16.30.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-293BoAN4ouw/Uko91kxGv4I/AAAAAAAACfQ/QTUb9G0UnCM/s320/2013-07-23+16.30.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCVFHFMbQgo/Uko92bEEMfI/AAAAAAAACfM/Dni-9LNrnxE/s1600/2013-08-02+18.11.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HCVFHFMbQgo/Uko92bEEMfI/AAAAAAAACfM/Dni-9LNrnxE/s320/2013-08-02+18.11.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MCeO0pXpl_w/Uko926r7vSI/AAAAAAAACfU/1-HFh-PBbY0/s1600/2013-08-04+17.13.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MCeO0pXpl_w/Uko926r7vSI/AAAAAAAACfU/1-HFh-PBbY0/s320/2013-08-04+17.13.26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />She was sad to see her big brother leave for Preschool<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhsksQXU7Go/Uko96KexfGI/AAAAAAAACfs/2l0TUEC5l9s/s1600/IMG_0735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhsksQXU7Go/Uko96KexfGI/AAAAAAAACfs/2l0TUEC5l9s/s320/IMG_0735.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />And she started eating solids (finally), even though she's hasn't quite mastered sitting up on her own.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDm5dYEcyJ4/Uko98Wb-oJI/AAAAAAAACf8/LALzfu_ioRY/s1600/IMG_0886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDm5dYEcyJ4/Uko98Wb-oJI/AAAAAAAACf8/LALzfu_ioRY/s320/IMG_0886.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4_Ppb1Zxfk/Uko96jg5fCI/AAAAAAAACf0/9Ah5t8AJIKA/s1600/IMG_0858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4_Ppb1Zxfk/Uko96jg5fCI/AAAAAAAACf0/9Ah5t8AJIKA/s320/IMG_0858.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />She's just the sweetest little baby, she smiles at everyone, makes everyone around her smile, and is growing up WAY too fast. I love her more than I thought I could.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0A_oDo3EfZ4/Uko96iK1zdI/AAAAAAAACfw/mwZp4lYqSgs/s1600/IMG_0754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0A_oDo3EfZ4/Uko96iK1zdI/AAAAAAAACfw/mwZp4lYqSgs/s320/IMG_0754.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-12303127203580419242013-04-14T20:13:00.001-06:002013-04-14T20:16:17.201-06:00I love Lucy... and 3 year olds!She's finally here! Lucy Caroline Peper was born on Saturday, March 30th at 3:56 am. The circumstances under which she was born were a little less than ideal, but the important part is that she's here and healthy and oh-so-cute!<br />The "story of her birth" is a pretty long one, but I figure I should probably write it down somewhere...<br />For those of you who have already heard it, feel free to skip ahead :)<br /><br />We had planned on being at the hospital at 6:30, Friday morning, so I had set my alarm for 5:30 so I would have time to get all ready to go. I had gotten around 3 hours of sleep the night before, however, (I guess thinking about how my life was going to change the next day was a little much for me), and so had apparently slept through the hospital calling me to tell me they were full, and that I had to wait to go in. At about 10:30, they finally called back and said that I could come on in. So we all headed to the hospital. My Mom dropped TJ and I off, I said goodbye to Steven and gave him a big hug and kiss (it was a little bittersweet...) and we headed up to labor and delivery at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.<br />We got settled in our room, met our nurse, and they started me on pitocin. After about 2 hours, they brought in a Dr and she broke my water. I was hoping that would speed things up a bit, but it didn't. My contractions continued to get worse. I tried walking around, sitting on a birthing ball, and a few other things to cope with the pain. Finally, when I had been laboring for about 7 hours and the nurse told me I was still at about a 3.5, I decided it was time for an epidural. I really was not excited about it.<br />The anesthesiologist came in, started my epidural (I thought the process was so painful and did not like it AT ALL), and pretty soon things started to feel a little better. Even though I couldn't feel the contractions, it still wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, however, because my legs felt like they were on pins and needles the whole time, even though I couldn't even move them. So even though I couldn't feel contractions, I still wasn't comfortable.<br />For some reason, Lucy didn't like me laying on my left side. Every time I did, she became less active and her heart rate dropped a bit. Because of this, I spent most of my time on my right side. Because of that, my epidural started to ware off on my left side. After being able to feel contractions (which were now about 2-3 mins apart) for a while, I decided it was time to do something about it. I switched over to my left side and pressed the button to get another dose of my epidural and waited for it to kick in. After about 20 mins, it still hadn't made much of a difference, so our nurse called the anesthesiologist. He came and gave me an extra dose manually, and after a little while, it finally started to kick in. At that point, I thought I should probably switch back over to my right side because Lucy's activity had gone down. When I moved to my other side, however, I all of a sudden starting feeling this sharp pain on the left side of my uterus. That was when all the craziness started.<br />A ton happened in the next 2 hours, but I'm even a little fuzzy on some of it, so I'm gonna try and just give the highlights. The pain in my side kept getting worse and worse, until finally the nurse called my Doctor. He came up and after watching through a couple contractions (when the pain would get even worse) said he was afraid I had a placental abruption and so we needed to get the baby out quickly. So I started pushing (which was a lot harder, I thought, with an epidural). The Dr Crouch kept saying that she wasn't dropping, even enough to use forceps. He said I could keep trying, but he thought he needed to do a c-section. I, at this point, started freaking out. The doctors and nurses weren't really helping either since they kept talking about how the anesthesiologist was in another c-section and there weren't any extra nurses to come help, and other things that were just freaking me out more. After I had been pushing for about 45 mins, Lucy's heart rate starting dropping, and so Dr Crouch said we had to do the c-section. I was bawling, in tons of pain, and so freaked out. I couldn't stop shaking.<br />When we got to the operating room, the stressfulness continued as the anesthesiologist yelled at the nurses, the room wasn't all the way ready for us, and they kept saying things like, "Where are the tubes? Did you lose the tubes again?!" I was basically in hysterics. TJ remembers more at this point than I do, but I just remember crying uncontrollably, being in so much pain, feeling so weird that I couldn't feel my legs, seeing Lucy being taken out of me, feeling them pull at my insides, and then being given tons more drugs to try and knock me out. I don't remember almost anything after that (except still feeling panicked), but TJ said I was still in and out, saying things about being in so much pain still. The next thing I really remember is waking up in my room, asking about Lucy.<br /><br />So that's the story! Sorry it was such a long one! The really important part is that Lucy was born a healthy 8 lb 10 oz baby, and I ended up being fine too. As I'm finally finishing up this post, she's 2 weeks and a day old, and getting cuter every day. She's such a good baby, hardly ever cries, and even sometimes lets me sleep for like 5 hrs straight at night. We all love her so, so much - especially Steven! He wants to hug and cuddle with her all the time, and is getting better at being soft :) I think he's a little sad she can't play with him or talk to him, but he still shares his cars with her whenever he gets the chance. I'm so glad she's part of our family, and I'm so excited to see her grow and get to be part of all those awesome baby milestones all over again. :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlyc6Sftc24/UWtcrpOLV3I/AAAAAAAACRE/72izyvT2zec/s1600/DSC05453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlyc6Sftc24/UWtcrpOLV3I/AAAAAAAACRE/72izyvT2zec/s320/DSC05453.JPG" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OaSDkijmMnM/UWtcrnRSD7I/AAAAAAAACRI/eHJFpEobGgk/s1600/DSC05498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OaSDkijmMnM/UWtcrnRSD7I/AAAAAAAACRI/eHJFpEobGgk/s320/DSC05498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHoQrBiKEJo/UWtcsMTAOEI/AAAAAAAACRM/fLXcvh-zi3s/s1600/DSC05465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHoQrBiKEJo/UWtcsMTAOEI/AAAAAAAACRM/fLXcvh-zi3s/s320/DSC05465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3wewbpUxu8/UWtc4kDoenI/AAAAAAAACRk/MuxBhHcAtPA/s1600/DSC05503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3wewbpUxu8/UWtc4kDoenI/AAAAAAAACRk/MuxBhHcAtPA/s320/DSC05503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDSMlM9FhZM/UWtglvCo0nI/AAAAAAAACR8/ISWlbRrSt0A/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDSMlM9FhZM/UWtglvCo0nI/AAAAAAAACR8/ISWlbRrSt0A/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4Tz3qW2UPg/UWtguAh8SQI/AAAAAAAACSE/KXs9srBnlgQ/s1600/IMG_0418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4Tz3qW2UPg/UWtguAh8SQI/AAAAAAAACSE/KXs9srBnlgQ/s320/IMG_0418.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-2--w-VUQk/UWtgzvaM75I/AAAAAAAACSM/qUuv__4rpHU/s1600/IMG_0445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-2--w-VUQk/UWtgzvaM75I/AAAAAAAACSM/qUuv__4rpHU/s320/IMG_0445.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5C5vHUDFxsM/UWtg1VbQaZI/AAAAAAAACSU/PW_1DbBtDCc/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5C5vHUDFxsM/UWtg1VbQaZI/AAAAAAAACSU/PW_1DbBtDCc/s320/IMG_0440.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puJwWm3PvrQ/UWtg3pSnf4I/AAAAAAAACSc/o0EViwxXx1Y/s1600/IMG_0470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puJwWm3PvrQ/UWtg3pSnf4I/AAAAAAAACSc/o0EViwxXx1Y/s320/IMG_0470.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1Se-OI_bak/UWth9q1ehaI/AAAAAAAACTM/X-jxYqmBM4Q/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1Se-OI_bak/UWth9q1ehaI/AAAAAAAACTM/X-jxYqmBM4Q/s320/IMG_0430.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I also have to talk about Steven turning 3!! It happened the day after Lucy was born, so we had to celebrate in the hospital, which I felt a little bad about. Hopefully they won't mind having birthdays a day apart... We took Steven in for his 3 yr check-up last week, and he did great! He's 34.6 lbs (79th %tile) and 38.3 ins tall (72nd %tile). He passed his eye exam, showing he knew a lot of his shapes, too! I am so amazed at how much he's learning every day, and love all the little phrases he uses. He's such a loving big brother, and such a tender little guy. We just love him so, so much!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XScH0No1Wnc/UWthYbaeNQI/AAAAAAAACSk/lAWZmQqxtRE/s1600/DSC05477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XScH0No1Wnc/UWthYbaeNQI/AAAAAAAACSk/lAWZmQqxtRE/s320/DSC05477.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFi3m1zPU8A/UWthex2c54I/AAAAAAAACSs/b14j9AWRpUM/s1600/DSC05482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFi3m1zPU8A/UWthex2c54I/AAAAAAAACSs/b14j9AWRpUM/s320/DSC05482.JPG" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLNZAe0CtOY/UWthsHAffCI/AAAAAAAACS0/E80Mqe6IVgg/s1600/DSC05487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLNZAe0CtOY/UWthsHAffCI/AAAAAAAACS0/E80Mqe6IVgg/s320/DSC05487.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LkzqmdHB-VM/UWthvDsq97I/AAAAAAAACS8/iJzCUv8u1l8/s1600/DSC05488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LkzqmdHB-VM/UWthvDsq97I/AAAAAAAACS8/iJzCUv8u1l8/s320/DSC05488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cU_1nilbOB8/UWthvfXGG-I/AAAAAAAACTA/_I0cPUsDW5U/s1600/DSC05489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cU_1nilbOB8/UWthvfXGG-I/AAAAAAAACTA/_I0cPUsDW5U/s320/DSC05489.JPG" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2dIQDuU-mM/UWtiAlfdvVI/AAAAAAAACTU/WOJwtw1Ques/s1600/DSC05492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2dIQDuU-mM/UWtiAlfdvVI/AAAAAAAACTU/WOJwtw1Ques/s320/DSC05492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-14035701976448944292013-03-24T23:34:00.000-06:002013-03-24T23:34:01.666-06:00Baby ShowersWell, the end is finally in sight. I will be induced on Friday, March 29th if I don't go into labor before that. I'm still hoping I'll just go by myself, but I don't have a lot of hope at this point. I have had a lots of distractions recently, though, which has made the waiting a little better. Last week I had 2 baby showers! I felt so spoiled! I only had one with Steven (thought it was amazing!), and I wasn't even expecting any, since it's my second baby. They were so much fun, though. One my Boss threw for me at work, and the other some of my friends from my ward threw for me. Everyone was so, so nice, and I got some much needed girl stuff.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWMw1MaaOCU/UU_cGX8u3lI/AAAAAAAACQc/zYzdu6qX0Ko/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWMw1MaaOCU/UU_cGX8u3lI/AAAAAAAACQc/zYzdu6qX0Ko/s320/IMG_0163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdhv5c8Kdis/UU_cGpGhRCI/AAAAAAAACQk/36ieaObioDg/s1600/IMG_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdhv5c8Kdis/UU_cGpGhRCI/AAAAAAAACQk/36ieaObioDg/s320/IMG_0166.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpDirx4N3x0/UU_cG0OmjKI/AAAAAAAACQo/myFNy9DrR8o/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpDirx4N3x0/UU_cG0OmjKI/AAAAAAAACQo/myFNy9DrR8o/s320/IMG_0164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />TJ and I have also been trying to really take advantage of the time we have with Steven right now, too. He's been kind of a pill, recently, which has made it a little hard, but it's gonna be sad that it's not just the 3 of us anymore! It has been for almost 3 years now. Anyway, he's done some pretty cute stuff, though. He's currently in love with the show "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood," and always talks about it. So, after an episode he watched the other morning, he announced he wanted to be like "super Daniel." Luckily I had his cape that TJ's sister, Katy, made for him a few years ago. So, we got it out, and he "flew like tiger" for the next 20 mins or so. Then he ran around outside being Super Steven, and we even got to be Super Mommy and Super Daddy. It was a good day :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0r0Psxvs1M/UU_cITV0z3I/AAAAAAAACQ0/seVA_uPE3Sk/s1600/IMG_0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0r0Psxvs1M/UU_cITV0z3I/AAAAAAAACQ0/seVA_uPE3Sk/s320/IMG_0342.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xd5Q5ba8Clk/UU_cIsJFsYI/AAAAAAAACQ4/LuLn15OwRNo/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xd5Q5ba8Clk/UU_cIsJFsYI/AAAAAAAACQ4/LuLn15OwRNo/s320/IMG_0347.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This video is actually from a while ago, but we keep forgetting to post it, so I'm doing it now :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oc7wsu4u7Mg?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br />Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-67832139298603839042013-03-03T21:49:00.000-07:002013-03-03T21:49:00.018-07:00Playing drums with Dad<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NmWvxgLbPoU" width="459"></iframe><br /><br />This one is from a while ago, but they still do it all the time. Maybe Steven's the next Phil Collins - drummer and singer!Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-31673181157492696102013-03-03T21:48:00.000-07:002013-03-03T21:48:00.413-07:00STRONG<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sIVhiHf-9C0" width="459"></iframe><br /><br />Daddy taught Steven all about being strong! I decided to only show the video with the little guy running around with his shirt off, though :)Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-64784207387865645732013-03-03T21:46:00.001-07:002013-03-04T11:58:52.622-07:00Daylight<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LaPzcoZZvP4" width="459"></iframe><br /><br />This is one of his favorite songs at the moment. He likes to pretend he knows all the words. (ps - sorry the video is so dark... we took it while driving in the car at night)<br /><br />If for some reason this doesn't play on the blog, I think if you click on this link, it'll take you to where it is on you tube...&nbsp;<a href="http://youtu.be/LaPzcoZZvP4">http://youtu.be/LaPzcoZZvP4</a>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-81398090688760707312013-03-03T21:45:00.003-07:002013-03-03T21:45:20.865-07:00Dancing with Daddy<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ThoQ6SVtsHg" width="459"></iframe><br /><br />So, I finally figured out how to post some videos using youtube (with the help of TJ and Steve). Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to do more than one video on each post. So, I had to do one for each video. Oh well! I guess this will make up for how often I usually post things :)<br /><br />Most of these videos just show how musical of a child we have. He's so hilarious and loves dancing and singing. He has a few things he might need to overcome before becoming a star, though. One - his ability to only run clockwise (although, there hopefully won't be much running in circles during his all-star routine), and two - he seems just a little tone deaf to me. We're counting on all that changing with practice :)Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-21091975038988510332013-02-24T23:24:00.001-07:002013-02-24T23:24:24.418-07:00Still Pregnant...I know this really isn't an excuse, but I actually did try posting a couple of videos on the blog like 2 weeks ago... When it didn't work, I just got frustrated with the blog in general and decided I'd show it what it was missing. I don't think it cared. Anyway, I repent, and will fill everyone (and by everyone, I mean all 2 people who read this) in on whats going on.<div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I don't really have a lot of pictures to document everything that is going on right now... Someday I'll learn to take advantage of photo-worthy happenings.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The number one thing on my mind is that I'm still pregnant. I know this may seem like just a very impatient complaint (which it mostly is, I'm sure), but when I'm measuring 6 weeks ahead, and Baby Sister (according to an ultrasound I got, by chance, when getting an ultrasound for my thyroid) is probably over 7 lbs right now, it's hard to not feel ready to get her out of me. We're hoping she'll come by herself a little early, but at my last Drs appointment, my Dr did say he would induce me a week early if she didn't. We'll see if my complaining (and possibly even some tears I throw in for good measure) will change that timing at all at my next appointment. Although the thought of being a mom of two pretty much scares the crap out of me, my sciatic nerve pain, lack of sleep, swelling feet, and all the other complaints you'll ever hear from a pregnant woman are overriding any fears I might have. I know I would be a better mother to the child I already have if I could get rid of these problems!</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of Steven, he's hilarious as always. I feel like he has about 10 times the energy that he usually does, but that could just be because I have 10 times less energy than I usually do. He's a pill most of the time, but then when he sits next to me, puts my arm around him and snuggles close, it's hard to not love him more than anything else in the world. He can definitely make me laugh, even when I don't want to. &nbsp;His favorite thing to do right now is sing along to some of the songs that are popular on the radio. It's so great. He even has his own names for them such as "the outside song" (Ed Sheeran's "A-Team"), and "the ever song" (Taylor Swift's "We are never getting back together"). We actually do have video's documenting this, but I of course can't get them to upload. Along with singing the songs, he also loves dancing to them, which usually just entails running around in a circle, and only ever going clockwise.</div><div><br /></div><div>He seems to be really excited about Baby Sister, so I hope that feeling continues after she's here :) He loves putting his face on my tummy, asking to see baby sister, and then laughing so hard when she "kicks" (which, since it's impossible to get her to do on cue, usually is just me moving my belly... somehow this deception doesn't make me feel bad at all...). He also thinks she's still sleeping inside of me. If only that's what she was doing the majority of the time... One picture I actually do have is from the other day when he decided he wanted to share his new race cars with Baby Sister. I thought it was so precious :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etzj-_4ERc8/USsAjZg7dcI/AAAAAAAACOo/AEw0GBu4TJM/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etzj-_4ERc8/USsAjZg7dcI/AAAAAAAACOo/AEw0GBu4TJM/s320/IMG_0158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Just a couple other things, because I actually have pictures to go along with these... We went to visit the Ellsworth's last weekend and it was SO good to see them. Steven loved playing with Lizzy and Brenna (and watching movies on the iPad with them). I'm so sad we don't live closer so they can play ALL the time! I have a feeling they would be great friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HspQBuxS8iQ/USsAlIP3b_I/AAAAAAAACO4/2otJJHdLhP8/s1600/IMG_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HspQBuxS8iQ/USsAlIP3b_I/AAAAAAAACO4/2otJJHdLhP8/s320/IMG_0128.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Steven also got his hair cut, which he was in desperate need of. He actually did much better than last time. He didn't cry at all! I know it's not that exciting of a picture, (although it does kind of show how long his hair had gotten on top) and the only reason I actually even have it is because he straight up asked me to take one. I couldn't really say no...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKXj5zUmvPo/USsAk4fP98I/AAAAAAAACOw/eHqUvxg_VPY/s1600/IMG_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKXj5zUmvPo/USsAk4fP98I/AAAAAAAACOw/eHqUvxg_VPY/s320/IMG_0160.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I'm sure this was far too much talking for the whole 3 pictures that I posted, but it was probably more for my benefit to just be able to document than anything. So I apologize to those of you who fell asleep. Hopefully we'll have lots bigger news soon, and we will definitely have lots of pictures to go along with that!</div>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-54698703826359258652013-01-06T20:37:00.000-07:002013-01-06T20:37:00.236-07:00Christmas TimeThe past few weeks have been pretty crazy for us, as I'm sure they have been for everyone. So, here's a rundown of what we've been doing this Christmas season:<br /><br />1. Decorating our tree! We were thinking we weren't going to do it this year, but I'm glad we did. Steven loved it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKkK41TuU7E/UOpA-KTNxiI/AAAAAAAACNA/eocBvDS-jpo/s1600/DSC05272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKkK41TuU7E/UOpA-KTNxiI/AAAAAAAACNA/eocBvDS-jpo/s320/DSC05272.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5uT-FG8sGmg/UOpA8Fxrm_I/AAAAAAAACM4/1XxOVS6XNuc/s1600/DSC05261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5uT-FG8sGmg/UOpA8Fxrm_I/AAAAAAAACM4/1XxOVS6XNuc/s320/DSC05261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />2. &nbsp;Tried to spend as much time with the Hopkins as possible before they MOVED! We were so sad!! I wasn't actually even in Provo when they packed up and left, though (which is probably a good thing... I would have cried so much!), because I...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7opmt3cfnE/UOo6rFhpXTI/AAAAAAAACKs/4v1AiDgwvWU/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7opmt3cfnE/UOo6rFhpXTI/AAAAAAAACKs/4v1AiDgwvWU/s320/IMG_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />3. &nbsp;Went to Macomb for my Mom's graduation! She graduated with her MBA and all of the Rands' kids were able to be there for it. My Dad got to actually present my mom with her diploma, followed by a kiss :) It was so great to spend time with my family! We realized that we probably haven't spent much time together, without kids or spouses, for around 14 years. We decided it's definitely something we want to make happen more often than that!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUxHluv9FcA/UOo6DkLjBAI/AAAAAAAACKE/a-mj-BElTnw/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WUxHluv9FcA/UOo6DkLjBAI/AAAAAAAACKE/a-mj-BElTnw/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />4. The day after I got home from Macomb, TJ and Steven left for Bloomington, where we were going to spend christmas. We decided it would be a good idea for me to stay and work for another week, and then meet them out there. So while I was at home, working hard to pay the bills, TJ's brother, Steve, took everyone to the zoo! He was doing an internship there, and so got "backstage passes" to see some of the animals. I was super jealous. I did get to see my cousin, Ami, while I was still here, though, which was so great!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2IzrXq8UOzg/UOo7MW0G0sI/AAAAAAAACLE/TEhkos1b1r8/s1600/IMG_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2IzrXq8UOzg/UOo7MW0G0sI/AAAAAAAACLE/TEhkos1b1r8/s320/IMG_0274.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GJ82ofPBQc/UOo7NLHEZkI/AAAAAAAACLM/n-sP0OlRJwA/s1600/IMG_0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2GJ82ofPBQc/UOo7NLHEZkI/AAAAAAAACLM/n-sP0OlRJwA/s320/IMG_0265.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cTtIA0RLsj8/UOo7Ci_QrgI/AAAAAAAACK8/Q7rnJ-9mg3Y/s1600/IMG_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cTtIA0RLsj8/UOo7Ci_QrgI/AAAAAAAACK8/Q7rnJ-9mg3Y/s320/IMG_0237.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz9Ejs5i7Qo/UOo6_m6ynkI/AAAAAAAACK0/25s7AcaRme4/s1600/IMG_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz9Ejs5i7Qo/UOo6_m6ynkI/AAAAAAAACK0/25s7AcaRme4/s320/IMG_0232.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AwL5RCXk14/UOo6JIqSs-I/AAAAAAAACKM/5iCwjWLOAZY/s1600/IMG_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AwL5RCXk14/UOo6JIqSs-I/AAAAAAAACKM/5iCwjWLOAZY/s320/IMG_0097.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>5. &nbsp;On Christmas Eve, I finally flew out to join them. I was a little worried the weather would be bad and I would end up missing christmas, but everything went smoothly! We then all spent the next week and a half with TJ's parents, and it was great! Steven didn't even know what to do with all the toys there, and <i>loved</i> spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and "Master Steve" (TJ decided it would be funny for Steven to call him that, now that he has his master's, and it stuck! The best part is, it kind of sounds like Steven is saying "monster Steve" :) It's cute). We even got to visit Martha (TJ's best friend from high school who we basically haven't seen since our wedding) up in Indianapolis.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2mxDuH-pqfg/UOo6Kg78VDI/AAAAAAAACKU/ZJsNykOrqwc/s1600/IMG_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2mxDuH-pqfg/UOo6Kg78VDI/AAAAAAAACKU/ZJsNykOrqwc/s320/IMG_0101.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIE9MkNwGD4/UOo6XBYffLI/AAAAAAAACKk/DIHeBoePFpA/s1600/IMG_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIE9MkNwGD4/UOo6XBYffLI/AAAAAAAACKk/DIHeBoePFpA/s320/IMG_0104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVwlNLb60Bg/UOo7P-1t6yI/AAAAAAAACLU/dwmcV3NI5SM/s1600/IMG_0306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVwlNLb60Bg/UOo7P-1t6yI/AAAAAAAACLU/dwmcV3NI5SM/s320/IMG_0306.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>6. TJ left a couple days early to help [Master] Steve move out to Utah. I stuck around and got to see our friends America and Tyler before I flew home!! It's a good thing, too, since Tyler's headed back to Rwanda and America will be joining him there in the summer. We'll miss them so much!! TJ got here the day Steven and I flew in, and so came and picked us up at the airport.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGZ29QUW5cE/UOo6T4LVlwI/AAAAAAAACKc/0ZeT67WtOho/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGZ29QUW5cE/UOo6T4LVlwI/AAAAAAAACKc/0ZeT67WtOho/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SHS4NEIRa5k/UOpA7k2vbBI/AAAAAAAACMw/T9Ej4ATjYeA/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SHS4NEIRa5k/UOpA7k2vbBI/AAAAAAAACMw/T9Ej4ATjYeA/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />We're happy to be home, but we had so much fun with all our activities. I am so grateful for the wonderful friends and family we have, and the blessing we had to be able to see so many of them! I just feel like the luckiest person ever to have so many people that I love so much. I'm grateful that I get to add a new little person to that list, and am so excited for all the changes we have coming in 2013!Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-81607806883164191172012-11-27T17:24:00.000-07:002012-11-27T17:24:15.694-07:00UltrasoundWe went in for an ultrasound today. It was the first time we had an actual ultrasound technician do it. Our doctor did all of Steven's plus the first two of this baby's ultrasounds. It was so fun for us to see the technician take so much time to show us the baby and what he was looking at to make sure everything looked healthy. He confirmed that it's a girl! He also mentioned she has a big head. According to her due date the baby is 22 weeks but the technician said the baby's head was measuring at 25 weeks 2 days. We also caught the baby yawning during the ultrasound. She's very cute :o) This is also the first time we got a CD with all of the pictures from the ultrasound so we thought we should post them on our blog!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOnf_OHXm24/ULVU27VuCuI/AAAAAAAAB4k/C7NdaWgR0t0/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0000.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOnf_OHXm24/ULVU27VuCuI/AAAAAAAAB4k/C7NdaWgR0t0/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0000.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butt Crack</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAMK0yY4reE/ULVU44-a23I/AAAAAAAAB4s/HJYnoOwqtxU/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0001.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAMK0yY4reE/ULVU44-a23I/AAAAAAAAB4s/HJYnoOwqtxU/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0001.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Parts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-EvjYA5VTw/ULVU5426JMI/AAAAAAAAB40/sU-MVvXPCYo/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0002.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-EvjYA5VTw/ULVU5426JMI/AAAAAAAAB40/sU-MVvXPCYo/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0002.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Lady Parts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpDNygMCmok/ULVU7dxzkLI/AAAAAAAAB48/LlbKPZY8n-A/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0003.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpDNygMCmok/ULVU7dxzkLI/AAAAAAAAB48/LlbKPZY8n-A/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0003.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Feets</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38z05qvrLI0/ULVU9O3XU-I/AAAAAAAAB5E/63tvk619wHA/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0004.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38z05qvrLI0/ULVU9O3XU-I/AAAAAAAAB5E/63tvk619wHA/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0004.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good lookin' arm bones!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9K0p97H-JY/ULVVq2_jx4I/AAAAAAAAB5M/TrR1vvGeCHI/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0005.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9K0p97H-JY/ULVVq2_jx4I/AAAAAAAAB5M/TrR1vvGeCHI/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0005.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooshed Face</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlp9yMRwEfI/ULVV6HROTsI/AAAAAAAAB5U/RbA_056ujps/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0006.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlp9yMRwEfI/ULVV6HROTsI/AAAAAAAAB5U/RbA_056ujps/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0006.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Face</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stcfDGnvnDQ/ULVV8yVI0PI/AAAAAAAAB5c/PDKrVXTl5-s/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0007.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stcfDGnvnDQ/ULVV8yVI0PI/AAAAAAAAB5c/PDKrVXTl5-s/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0007.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Profile, her good side!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEEBqz0pu9M/ULVV-v21BlI/AAAAAAAAB5k/HjY2vJVZYRM/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0008.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEEBqz0pu9M/ULVV-v21BlI/AAAAAAAAB5k/HjY2vJVZYRM/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0008.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She has a cute nose, don't you think?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOXtPHy7EbA/ULVWALbGKNI/AAAAAAAAB5s/sClNircqpRg/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0009.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOXtPHy7EbA/ULVWALbGKNI/AAAAAAAAB5s/sClNircqpRg/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0009.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is her yawning. The black circle is her mouth closing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4khEb-EdynY/ULVWBSfZYfI/AAAAAAAAB50/T2j1E6dPDp8/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0010.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4khEb-EdynY/ULVWBSfZYfI/AAAAAAAAB50/T2j1E6dPDp8/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0010.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gun Show</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7h3DzwiIHE/ULVWDDFmv6I/AAAAAAAAB58/TTCxERc7mLM/s1600/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0011.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7h3DzwiIHE/ULVWDDFmv6I/AAAAAAAAB58/TTCxERc7mLM/s320/12-11-27-142948_PEPER_20121127_144438_0011.BMP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is very snug.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-39386827535234478342012-10-28T23:43:00.000-06:002012-10-28T23:43:18.567-06:00Family PicsSo I guess I just need to come to terms with the fact that this blogging thing is just not my forte... I just can't seem to keep up with it! Maybe I'll get better someday...<br />It's been a pretty busy, what, month and a half? TJ and I found out we're expecting baby #2!! We actually have an ultrasound this week where we'll find out the gender! I've been much more sick than I was with Steven, though I've only actually thrown up once. Now that I'm out of my first trimester, things have gotten a little better, though not as much as I would have hoped. I guess as long as it keeps improving, maybe I'll be feeling great by the time the baby comes!<br />TJ's been busy applying to optometry school. He applied to 3 schools and has had 2 interviews so far, and gotten accepted to both (Houston and Indiana)! He has one more this weekend in Memphis. So we'll see how that one goes, but it looks like his odds are pretty good. :) We're excited for all the interviews to be over, though, so we can make a final decision on where we're going!<br />Amid all of this craziness, we decided we needed to make time to take family pictures before it got too cold (and ugly) outside. My amazing friend Nicole took them (of course) even though she was getting ready to have a baby in a week! She did a fabulous job with them :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6F7OmKf1yUA/UI4O8zAXn3I/AAAAAAAABz4/B2Q7aTOf_7o/s1600/Images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6F7OmKf1yUA/UI4O8zAXn3I/AAAAAAAABz4/B2Q7aTOf_7o/s320/Images-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bocxlv0Y0rg/UI4PC2gxoZI/AAAAAAAAB0A/OT23MkJtlIk/s1600/Images-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bocxlv0Y0rg/UI4PC2gxoZI/AAAAAAAAB0A/OT23MkJtlIk/s320/Images-10.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCzUhd-PawU/UI4PLGl5U_I/AAAAAAAAB0M/NgqNeUszI98/s1600/Images-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCzUhd-PawU/UI4PLGl5U_I/AAAAAAAAB0M/NgqNeUszI98/s320/Images-17.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J_3FV6ujb4o/UI4PPbeqLBI/AAAAAAAAB0U/LC-PgMEnEnA/s1600/Images-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J_3FV6ujb4o/UI4PPbeqLBI/AAAAAAAAB0U/LC-PgMEnEnA/s320/Images-19.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F55CMmdI5PU/UI4PS2U3JII/AAAAAAAAB0c/rQI0IRlk1Oc/s1600/Images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F55CMmdI5PU/UI4PS2U3JII/AAAAAAAAB0c/rQI0IRlk1Oc/s320/Images-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nObUrR8F_fI/UI4PU5W2UxI/AAAAAAAAB0k/8wgDRse4dEI/s1600/Images-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nObUrR8F_fI/UI4PU5W2UxI/AAAAAAAAB0k/8wgDRse4dEI/s320/Images-23.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDqEjlqGUOk/UI4PaSi6gzI/AAAAAAAAB0w/urzJCfm2kP8/s1600/Images-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDqEjlqGUOk/UI4PaSi6gzI/AAAAAAAAB0w/urzJCfm2kP8/s320/Images-31.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j1UnCK5_3Bw/UI4PdOwnkoI/AAAAAAAAB04/e1zUnyU6pyM/s1600/Images-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j1UnCK5_3Bw/UI4PdOwnkoI/AAAAAAAAB04/e1zUnyU6pyM/s320/Images-37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkmhaluaP8Y/UI4PiQW1ljI/AAAAAAAAB1A/SCyY3PQzsnw/s1600/image-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkmhaluaP8Y/UI4PiQW1ljI/AAAAAAAAB1A/SCyY3PQzsnw/s320/image-10.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYni_34WqL0/UI4PlUX3FHI/AAAAAAAAB1M/3cHCldTWMYA/s1600/image-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYni_34WqL0/UI4PlUX3FHI/AAAAAAAAB1M/3cHCldTWMYA/s320/image-4.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkjlumoSsEw/UI4PsLcR5sI/AAAAAAAAB1U/poUXV9HJpAc/s1600/image-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkjlumoSsEw/UI4PsLcR5sI/AAAAAAAAB1U/poUXV9HJpAc/s320/image-7.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are from a night we hung out with a couple of my friends from Macomb. I guess Steven has a girlfriend! (I'm trying to hold him back, but he <i>really</i>&nbsp;wanted to kiss Ashlynn!)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQZZ9KtXz8g/UI4T3OD2MAI/AAAAAAAAB24/AsiGjDHpC60/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQZZ9KtXz8g/UI4T3OD2MAI/AAAAAAAAB24/AsiGjDHpC60/s200/IMG_0029.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbXCNbzDwpE/UI4T2KZnL_I/AAAAAAAAB2w/UEzdKkW8zG0/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbXCNbzDwpE/UI4T2KZnL_I/AAAAAAAAB2w/UEzdKkW8zG0/s200/IMG_0028.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-82599481351201513732012-09-02T17:04:00.000-06:002012-09-02T17:04:03.749-06:00End of SummerWell, now that school has started, we're all pretty sad about it. It's definitely still warm here, so it's not like we can't go outside, but there's definitely not as much time to spend out there. We tried to make the most of it before school started.<br />Steven wanted to play outside with Tate ALL the time. He even started bringing his train tracks outside because apparently there wasn't anything else fun to do. (Tate had his shirt off that day, so of course Steven had to take his off too).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NCCFYIB8Eus/UEPa7vahVnI/AAAAAAAABxg/3OfXoBrpMqU/s1600/trains-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NCCFYIB8Eus/UEPa7vahVnI/AAAAAAAABxg/3OfXoBrpMqU/s320/trains-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhxRiyJEotA/UEPbzf0xUFI/AAAAAAAABxs/GKesk1Bpq90/s1600/trains-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhxRiyJEotA/UEPbzf0xUFI/AAAAAAAABxs/GKesk1Bpq90/s320/trains-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6swUCkwaPY/UEPcRyVDh0I/AAAAAAAABx0/n0emf2g1oEU/s1600/trains-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6swUCkwaPY/UEPcRyVDh0I/AAAAAAAABx0/n0emf2g1oEU/s320/trains-19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIWq6MBXkbs/UEPc44h49VI/AAAAAAAABx8/KGeLNJ2eycQ/s1600/trains-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIWq6MBXkbs/UEPc44h49VI/AAAAAAAABx8/KGeLNJ2eycQ/s320/trains-20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mktbYBM-IuU/UEPdVE3q95I/AAAAAAAAByE/DnBk4DJt8CQ/s1600/trains-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mktbYBM-IuU/UEPdVE3q95I/AAAAAAAAByE/DnBk4DJt8CQ/s320/trains-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>We also did a few BBQs with the Hopkins up the canyon. It was so gorgeous up there!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTRsP3Lr0YU/UEPgaz9mK7I/AAAAAAAAByk/Hn8ApVJ_psM/s1600/image-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTRsP3Lr0YU/UEPgaz9mK7I/AAAAAAAAByk/Hn8ApVJ_psM/s320/image-17.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AD_XZKt1Lgo/UEPg8XVpKTI/AAAAAAAABys/6gP7XluQZ6c/s1600/image-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AD_XZKt1Lgo/UEPg8XVpKTI/AAAAAAAABys/6gP7XluQZ6c/s320/image-22.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sohFbu5ZwI/UEPiCEDZlyI/AAAAAAAABy4/TYzT81JtV0c/s1600/image-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sohFbu5ZwI/UEPiCEDZlyI/AAAAAAAABy4/TYzT81JtV0c/s320/image-26.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGG8nSOeKnk/UEPfXVWMMxI/AAAAAAAAByY/ayx0YaMbeOU/s1600/image-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGG8nSOeKnk/UEPfXVWMMxI/AAAAAAAAByY/ayx0YaMbeOU/s320/image-13.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjclO6VWdt8/UEPeN-tKjGI/AAAAAAAAByQ/x7NNrqATkrg/s1600/image-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjclO6VWdt8/UEPeN-tKjGI/AAAAAAAAByQ/x7NNrqATkrg/s320/image-11.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a70Xv9suSZc/UEPiPx6-0KI/AAAAAAAABzE/bxSHLnSD5wo/s1600/image-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a70Xv9suSZc/UEPiPx6-0KI/AAAAAAAABzE/bxSHLnSD5wo/s320/image-3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-abxPQXuOurQ/UEPie5PJCJI/AAAAAAAABzM/AFncITAgM2Q/s1600/image-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-abxPQXuOurQ/UEPie5PJCJI/AAAAAAAABzM/AFncITAgM2Q/s320/image-7.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>**All these pictures were taken by Nicole, by the way. I guess I'm getting pretty lazy in my blogging now-a-days. I can't even take my own pictures! But even if I do take some, her's are always way better :)Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-24974627336382960412012-08-22T22:45:00.005-06:002012-08-22T22:45:54.887-06:00Rands Family ReunionBack at the beginning of July, my family came to Utah for a Rands' family reunion (except for Geoff and Emily who had to work). It was so much fun! Things, I thought, went really well! Most of my family stayed at the house of one of our on=ld family friends from Macomb. It worked out perfectly! Everyone fit pretty comfortably there except for Hillary and Tim, who stayed with TJ and I at our apartment. That was only about 5 mins away from the house, though, so it was great!<br /><div>We did a bunch of fun stuff. We went to Seven Peaks water park in Salt Lake and spent basically the whole day there. It was awesome. Even Mom and Dad when on one of the biggest slides there. I was so impressed! I know somebody who works there, so we even got hooked up with some free food, free tubes, and a free cabana. It was awesome!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3UFOjMImRU/UDWujcBCWvI/AAAAAAAABtg/FajyQM2p_3g/s1600/497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3UFOjMImRU/UDWujcBCWvI/AAAAAAAABtg/FajyQM2p_3g/s200/497.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0kG6y_M1FQ/UDWukHwjZvI/AAAAAAAABto/c4yMJaG-Oxk/s1600/521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0kG6y_M1FQ/UDWukHwjZvI/AAAAAAAABto/c4yMJaG-Oxk/s200/521.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6_i5Zkon1c/UDWuklNkslI/AAAAAAAABtw/2Bh3uMcS92U/s1600/524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6_i5Zkon1c/UDWuklNkslI/AAAAAAAABtw/2Bh3uMcS92U/s200/524.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6YRbJhaKzPc/UDWulhMA9sI/AAAAAAAABt4/G8vHNRI_XVE/s1600/541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6YRbJhaKzPc/UDWulhMA9sI/AAAAAAAABt4/G8vHNRI_XVE/s200/541.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div>The next day, we went to the Mt Timpanogas Temple. It had been a year since my grandparents had passed away, and so we were able to do all their work. It was a really special and awesome experience. My parents were finally able to be sealed to their parents! We all felt so lucky to be there all together. We missed Geoff a lot, though. We would have loved for him to be there with us. When we got home from the temple, we went to Tucano's, which was so yummy, and then we got some family pictures taken. My awesome friend, Nicole, had offered to take them, which was so great of her. They turned out great! Here are just a few...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0tg2xqZwic/UDWvKTtyy0I/AAAAAAAABuE/DnggWOm2edk/s1600/Image-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0tg2xqZwic/UDWvKTtyy0I/AAAAAAAABuE/DnggWOm2edk/s200/Image-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2y84qKfw94o/UDWvMwNFu_I/AAAAAAAABuM/LpD0q-PxBks/s1600/Image-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2y84qKfw94o/UDWvMwNFu_I/AAAAAAAABuM/LpD0q-PxBks/s200/Image-10.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyM4LWKZJ78/UDWvO43jSVI/AAAAAAAABuU/kI7s-FIWang/s1600/Image-110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyM4LWKZJ78/UDWvO43jSVI/AAAAAAAABuU/kI7s-FIWang/s200/Image-110.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOHwwBevjbE/UDWvRHHinVI/AAAAAAAABuc/tjSblbfAnFg/s1600/Image-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOHwwBevjbE/UDWvRHHinVI/AAAAAAAABuc/tjSblbfAnFg/s200/Image-27.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-49g3GIkth60/UDWvVyl9d1I/AAAAAAAABuo/wPZauiOShdg/s1600/Image-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-49g3GIkth60/UDWvVyl9d1I/AAAAAAAABuo/wPZauiOShdg/s200/Image-34.jpg" width="132" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ue_XPJsJqtI/UDWvZaJ_wZI/AAAAAAAABu0/KW-xRrj61bY/s1600/Image-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ue_XPJsJqtI/UDWvZaJ_wZI/AAAAAAAABu0/KW-xRrj61bY/s200/Image-42.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQzG2h-30Ko/UDWvdc2HODI/AAAAAAAABu8/F20RKsAVEL0/s1600/Image-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQzG2h-30Ko/UDWvdc2HODI/AAAAAAAABu8/F20RKsAVEL0/s200/Image-76.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xk0VfsEbw6E/UDWvff2R1GI/AAAAAAAABvI/nUZkn11_O6Y/s1600/Image-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xk0VfsEbw6E/UDWvff2R1GI/AAAAAAAABvI/nUZkn11_O6Y/s200/Image-78.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Wednesday was the 4th of July, so we didn't do a whole lot, but we did get to go on a bike ride around campus, which was so much fun!&nbsp;</div><div>Then on thursday, one of my other awesome friends, Kami, took us up to her families cabin about an hour and a half away from Provo. It was so awesome! The cabin was on thousands of acres of land, and so we got to go on a hike and some 4 wheeler rides. They also had a little man mande lake and some boats. All the kids loved that! In fact, the most common question I got while at the cabin was, "Can we come back here next year??" It was quite a hit I guess.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODZrxf3xhDA/UDWwuywoicI/AAAAAAAABvQ/Iwaquw40D6Y/s1600/DSC05089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODZrxf3xhDA/UDWwuywoicI/AAAAAAAABvQ/Iwaquw40D6Y/s200/DSC05089.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QdbBCMkz3I/UDWw2I17ZSI/AAAAAAAABvg/kUOZI_ZgmV0/s1600/DSC05104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QdbBCMkz3I/UDWw2I17ZSI/AAAAAAAABvg/kUOZI_ZgmV0/s200/DSC05104.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktrChin5uCw/UDWxq6EhasI/AAAAAAAABvs/odb-igcPuaY/s1600/DSC05113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktrChin5uCw/UDWxq6EhasI/AAAAAAAABvs/odb-igcPuaY/s200/DSC05113.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div>After the cabin, we headed back to provo. The next morning, the men took the kids up to downtown Salt Lake to tour around, while we cleaned the house and headed up to meet them. We went to a little neighborhood restaurant called Hook and Ladder that my parents and sisters used to go to when they lived in Salt Lake.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JGr9Kgwr7E/UDW0JJIpRXI/AAAAAAAABwc/Fx2LKJkIcUw/s1600/007-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JGr9Kgwr7E/UDW0JJIpRXI/AAAAAAAABwc/Fx2LKJkIcUw/s200/007-1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFZrah0YMMs/UDW0JnAZ6jI/AAAAAAAABwk/YTlR_oC-wdg/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFZrah0YMMs/UDW0JnAZ6jI/AAAAAAAABwk/YTlR_oC-wdg/s200/011.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjGzyjA-hSw/UDW0Kmm2ryI/AAAAAAAABws/nd8CelH_lQU/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjGzyjA-hSw/UDW0Kmm2ryI/AAAAAAAABws/nd8CelH_lQU/s200/012.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xf65GspUI14/UDW0Llg1HqI/AAAAAAAABw0/l7evAiRUA9o/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xf65GspUI14/UDW0Llg1HqI/AAAAAAAABw0/l7evAiRUA9o/s200/016.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1SE4ZNLG4A/UDW0MvSAquI/AAAAAAAABw8/nGPyy_fIxF0/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1SE4ZNLG4A/UDW0MvSAquI/AAAAAAAABw8/nGPyy_fIxF0/s200/025.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />We also got to tour around the old neighborhood a bit. We then headed back to the hotel and played a few Minute to Win it games, after finally getting the kids all to bed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOUajorZ2ac/UDWzZBbAUvI/AAAAAAAABv0/cwwTS4T-lPE/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOUajorZ2ac/UDWzZBbAUvI/AAAAAAAABv0/cwwTS4T-lPE/s200/086.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnAWoo3H6Zg/UDWzZutgYCI/AAAAAAAABv8/wRx2_Lf1pvQ/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnAWoo3H6Zg/UDWzZutgYCI/AAAAAAAABv8/wRx2_Lf1pvQ/s200/099.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md8xZ1vJyfA/UDWzaDCKhPI/AAAAAAAABwE/7CQp4SMt5j8/s1600/107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Md8xZ1vJyfA/UDWzaDCKhPI/AAAAAAAABwE/7CQp4SMt5j8/s200/107.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NHd1w9guB28/UDWzr3vmh1I/AAAAAAAABwU/xn1v5VmYD0c/s1600/136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NHd1w9guB28/UDWzr3vmh1I/AAAAAAAABwU/xn1v5VmYD0c/s200/136.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7O8LT-h0QEM/UDWza75GiBI/AAAAAAAABwM/49J0n0b4gnQ/s1600/116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7O8LT-h0QEM/UDWza75GiBI/AAAAAAAABwM/49J0n0b4gnQ/s200/116.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Sunday, we went to my Parent's old ward and there were even a few people there that they had known (I think it's been about 30 years...)! The Christopherson's had already left that morning, Tim and Greg had left too, and everyone else was going to start the drive home the next day. It was such a great week, and I can't wait till next summer to do it all again!</div>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-65318460422242520122012-06-29T14:46:00.000-06:002012-06-29T14:49:02.965-06:00Not Africa...So with all the updating TJ's been doing on the blog, I've been slacking a lot. I haven't had a ton to update about anyway, but I still should have.<br /><br />So first, here's a picture from Mother's day (I know, WAY back). The day before mothers day, my sister Jennie and I went to the Oakland temple with my Mom, and then went out to eat. It was so much fun! The oakland temple was so beautiful and had an amazing view of San Francisco.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYk64aZ7Wm4/T-fVXoX7bkI/AAAAAAAABq4/goBUyIvhJfI/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYk64aZ7Wm4/T-fVXoX7bkI/AAAAAAAABq4/goBUyIvhJfI/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_NuDlVaSJk/T-fVZY6JI4I/AAAAAAAABrA/D6t5VsSv76I/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_NuDlVaSJk/T-fVZY6JI4I/AAAAAAAABrA/D6t5VsSv76I/s320/IMG_0295.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><br />These next pictures are just random one's of Steven and Tate (the little boy who lives above us). They are seriously best friends. Steven talks about him <i>all</i>&nbsp;the time! We can't even mention Tate's name anymore without Steven freaking out, asking to play with him. And it the cutest thing when he sees him coming down the sidewalk - he runs towards him, squealing and saying "Tate" over and over again. They even hugged "too hard" the other day, and fell down. It's pretty ridiculous, but I love it. And we love his parents, too, so it works out perfectly :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9Ol8Is9OoY/T-fXH5cx-tI/AAAAAAAABrI/caIlJFgXSUA/s1600/IMG_0298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9Ol8Is9OoY/T-fXH5cx-tI/AAAAAAAABrI/caIlJFgXSUA/s320/IMG_0298.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPm1yE22cyo/T-fXJTJIx2I/AAAAAAAABrQ/zWvAiUz99ck/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPm1yE22cyo/T-fXJTJIx2I/AAAAAAAABrQ/zWvAiUz99ck/s320/IMG_0300.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zyg09f1GaBQ/T-fXKV3IldI/AAAAAAAABrY/KsvwvT9aQcE/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zyg09f1GaBQ/T-fXKV3IldI/AAAAAAAABrY/KsvwvT9aQcE/s320/IMG_0301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQGfxsO5Fh0/T-fXLiMSi3I/AAAAAAAABrg/VCAJ7mD42J8/s1600/IMG_0569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQGfxsO5Fh0/T-fXLiMSi3I/AAAAAAAABrg/VCAJ7mD42J8/s320/IMG_0569.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br />These pictures are from Father's Day. That day was spent trying on TJ's helmet,<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSHEt86eIIY/T-fXbQjGI5I/AAAAAAAABr8/P05F3lhQOlI/s1600/IMG_0580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSHEt86eIIY/T-fXbQjGI5I/AAAAAAAABr8/P05F3lhQOlI/s320/IMG_0580.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">dancing to some music (though of course I couldn't get the video to upload),&nbsp;and hanging out and throwing a football in the park. I would say that's a good day :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q18qMF7vPPU/T-fXYB623II/AAAAAAAABrs/W9Tc1KT3dPo/s1600/IMG_0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q18qMF7vPPU/T-fXYB623II/AAAAAAAABrs/W9Tc1KT3dPo/s320/IMG_0312.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-difsezFRBIA/T-fXZ2UjOkI/AAAAAAAABr0/o8TamIKSb6w/s1600/IMG_0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-difsezFRBIA/T-fXZ2UjOkI/AAAAAAAABr0/o8TamIKSb6w/s320/IMG_0313.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><br />Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-71541226708527322612012-06-12T15:41:00.001-06:002012-06-12T15:41:12.053-06:00Animals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This post is dedicated to the animals that we saw. The first set of pictures is from the Lion Park and the last set is from Kruger National Park. Again, these were taken by our photographer, not me.</div><h2 style="text-align: center;">The Lion Park</h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J8JIJZhlQ9U/T9ewoO7CI8I/AAAAAAAABm0/YqNWu03TTK4/s1600/1205-38+06572.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J8JIJZhlQ9U/T9ewoO7CI8I/AAAAAAAABm0/YqNWu03TTK4/s400/1205-38+06572.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me siting on a lion cub.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0Pbhh8FXus/T9ewo_TCD1I/AAAAAAAABm8/uDRs__nHQ6s/s1600/1205-38+06621.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0Pbhh8FXus/T9ewo_TCD1I/AAAAAAAABm8/uDRs__nHQ6s/s400/1205-38+06621.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGKDEds1-ik/T9ewsPaEi8I/AAAAAAAABnE/P30ydXFlgCo/s1600/1205-38+06669.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGKDEds1-ik/T9ewsPaEi8I/AAAAAAAABnE/P30ydXFlgCo/s400/1205-38+06669.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyjlyj8QEGQ/T9ews8aBQAI/AAAAAAAABnM/5-E1PtDbBak/s1600/1205-38+06732.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyjlyj8QEGQ/T9ews8aBQAI/AAAAAAAABnM/5-E1PtDbBak/s400/1205-38+06732.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOSJjQHvYl4/T9ewuTRcw8I/AAAAAAAABnc/fuc_70ECMxA/s1600/1205-38+07160.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOSJjQHvYl4/T9ewuTRcw8I/AAAAAAAABnc/fuc_70ECMxA/s400/1205-38+07160.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe these are white lions.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eo4xtyNmi7A/T9ewvJpjd0I/AAAAAAAABnk/SpelPCRuo1U/s1600/1205-38+07189.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eo4xtyNmi7A/T9ewvJpjd0I/AAAAAAAABnk/SpelPCRuo1U/s400/1205-38+07189.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_q4jnDgk5ds/T9ewv1qpdXI/AAAAAAAABns/DL35llaiZLM/s1600/1205-38+07214.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_q4jnDgk5ds/T9ewv1qpdXI/AAAAAAAABns/DL35llaiZLM/s400/1205-38+07214.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EqazqQRvhO8/T9ewwl6K9CI/AAAAAAAABn0/WIA_VvawDSQ/s1600/1205-38+07244.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EqazqQRvhO8/T9ewwl6K9CI/AAAAAAAABn0/WIA_VvawDSQ/s400/1205-38+07244.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dePZ59Kka7I/T9ewxTvYwvI/AAAAAAAABn8/SUXHrIbG9xY/s1600/1205-38+07252.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dePZ59Kka7I/T9ewxTvYwvI/AAAAAAAABn8/SUXHrIbG9xY/s400/1205-38+07252.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheetahs</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MACO9FI2iYs/T9ewyDI8g7I/AAAAAAAABoE/vZWwtdgsPaA/s1600/1205-38+07270.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MACO9FI2iYs/T9ewyDI8g7I/AAAAAAAABoE/vZWwtdgsPaA/s400/1205-38+07270.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Wild Dogs. These are some of the nastiest animals... Really mean.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNuHQD-utlQ/T9ewyyFZG9I/AAAAAAAABoM/ozVFDdYMuCc/s1600/1205-38+07272.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cNuHQD-utlQ/T9ewyyFZG9I/AAAAAAAABoM/ozVFDdYMuCc/s400/1205-38+07272.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5myvgwBK6hc/T9ewzpBb2oI/AAAAAAAABoU/jlU_mrSMpdk/s1600/1205-38+07279.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5myvgwBK6hc/T9ewzpBb2oI/AAAAAAAABoU/jlU_mrSMpdk/s400/1205-38+07279.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little giraffe was only 2 days old when the picture was taken.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRYhu4maO_g/T9ew0EGHFII/AAAAAAAABoc/9X6dzHuVZaM/s1600/1205-38+07284.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRYhu4maO_g/T9ew0EGHFII/AAAAAAAABoc/9X6dzHuVZaM/s400/1205-38+07284.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmpkd34i7fY/T9ew0WLuYpI/AAAAAAAABok/ynaICbqDnI4/s1600/1205-38+07286.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmpkd34i7fY/T9ew0WLuYpI/AAAAAAAABok/ynaICbqDnI4/s400/1205-38+07286.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timon.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q4AvVVmby74/T9ew1NAqm5I/AAAAAAAABos/-zXAukMnbzo/s1600/1205-38+07309.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q4AvVVmby74/T9ew1NAqm5I/AAAAAAAABos/-zXAukMnbzo/s400/1205-38+07309.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, this was actually taken at the Johannesburg zoo. I just thought it was a funny picture.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Kruger National Park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHO4Od20XHU/T9ew3efqUEI/AAAAAAAABo8/3IACO0d1WnA/s1600/1205-38+07596.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHO4Od20XHU/T9ew3efqUEI/AAAAAAAABo8/3IACO0d1WnA/s400/1205-38+07596.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9r4PAgkDt4/T9ew2n8qVoI/AAAAAAAABo0/ZMc5V97h5lw/s1600/1205-38+07381.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9r4PAgkDt4/T9ew2n8qVoI/AAAAAAAABo0/ZMc5V97h5lw/s400/1205-38+07381.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3BsN9bzMJk/T9ew3gYaAHI/AAAAAAAABpE/iE-L42AP7ac/s1600/1205-38+07608.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3BsN9bzMJk/T9ew3gYaAHI/AAAAAAAABpE/iE-L42AP7ac/s400/1205-38+07608.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4KKat0ycnQ/T9ew4edwoLI/AAAAAAAABpM/TcN4YQnyBvc/s1600/1205-38+07625.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4KKat0ycnQ/T9ew4edwoLI/AAAAAAAABpM/TcN4YQnyBvc/s400/1205-38+07625.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFfGY5rc-YQ/T9ewt0wLQmI/AAAAAAAABnU/e7okhScwpKk/s1600/1205-38+07108.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFfGY5rc-YQ/T9ewt0wLQmI/AAAAAAAABnU/e7okhScwpKk/s400/1205-38+07108.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't remember what this is. 20 points to the first person who tells me. Hint: not an impala, I'm pretty sure...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGRqNrN_FHQ/T9ew5v78qjI/AAAAAAAABpU/MhqD7nNvPds/s1600/1205-38+07678.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KGRqNrN_FHQ/T9ew5v78qjI/AAAAAAAABpU/MhqD7nNvPds/s400/1205-38+07678.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a Kudu. It's my favorite of the antelope species.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zk5rmPS4ytM/T9ew6LpE6MI/AAAAAAAABpc/BsaiKcEqSLU/s1600/1205-38+07680.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zk5rmPS4ytM/T9ew6LpE6MI/AAAAAAAABpc/BsaiKcEqSLU/s400/1205-38+07680.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're so majestic.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fujtXpYQXrk/T9ew7ocTVYI/AAAAAAAABps/eK1_SrXCimM/s1600/1205-38+07743.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fujtXpYQXrk/T9ew7ocTVYI/AAAAAAAABps/eK1_SrXCimM/s400/1205-38+07743.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Klipspringers.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNkHo9W4c-E/T9ew6yrJUyI/AAAAAAAABpk/oHmws_U7i9Q/s1600/1205-38+07691.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNkHo9W4c-E/T9ew6yrJUyI/AAAAAAAABpk/oHmws_U7i9Q/s400/1205-38+07691.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the most I ever saw of a hippo...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CgrD52QtChs/T9ew8WSkogI/AAAAAAAABp0/rLP9mbed694/s1600/1205-38+07759.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CgrD52QtChs/T9ew8WSkogI/AAAAAAAABp0/rLP9mbed694/s400/1205-38+07759.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the wildlife we saw was way off in the distance, like this guy.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6XXF2vkLCw/T9ew9LCZ-iI/AAAAAAAABp8/Xh6aW8QwiZs/s1600/1205-38+07901.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6XXF2vkLCw/T9ew9LCZ-iI/AAAAAAAABp8/Xh6aW8QwiZs/s400/1205-38+07901.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a giraffe.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROxuSau1GI4/T9ew9pwS5bI/AAAAAAAABqE/9H5Qw2yP7C4/s1600/1205-38+08200.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROxuSau1GI4/T9ew9pwS5bI/AAAAAAAABqE/9H5Qw2yP7C4/s400/1205-38+08200.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6peKSniMow/T9ew-U2QVBI/AAAAAAAABqM/I6gFEcQ8CIs/s1600/1205-38+08243.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6peKSniMow/T9ew-U2QVBI/AAAAAAAABqM/I6gFEcQ8CIs/s400/1205-38+08243.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-3OHI97pwk/T9ew--zLmiI/AAAAAAAABqU/bBSyiZ7TkAk/s1600/1205-38+08272.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-3OHI97pwk/T9ew--zLmiI/AAAAAAAABqU/bBSyiZ7TkAk/s400/1205-38+08272.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iI2Xg5fBrBE/T9ew_8xmopI/AAAAAAAABqc/sCPi-tSdXM8/s1600/1205-38+08302.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iI2Xg5fBrBE/T9ew_8xmopI/AAAAAAAABqc/sCPi-tSdXM8/s400/1205-38+08302.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumba.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzqMKLkjO9Q/T9exAumvURI/AAAAAAAABqk/tuTuddQXDEU/s1600/1205-38+08313.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzqMKLkjO9Q/T9exAumvURI/AAAAAAAABqk/tuTuddQXDEU/s400/1205-38+08313.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tour guide I was with told me that the warthog was the most beautiful of all the animals. He was dead serious.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-74053748395288650322012-06-10T17:03:00.003-06:002012-06-10T17:03:43.291-06:00Southern Africa Outreaches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>When we went to Africa, we took along with us a photographer who's soul purpose in going was to take pictures of everything we did. He recently sent out an email to us that contained links to all of his pictures. I kid you not when I say that there were over 10,000 pictures of everything we did. I myself am in very few of those pictures, probably because I tried my best to avoid the camera whenever possible, and so searching through all of the pictures to try to find some of me was quite a difficult task. But I managed to find a few with me in them, as well as some great pictures of other things we did that I thought some of you might enjoy looking at. My plan now is to do a series of posts, so I can break up all the pictures into topics. Todays post is dedicated to the outreaches we did.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As I mentioned in my last post, our outreaches were mostly centered around getting to know the kids, playing with them, making them happy, and doing a little performance for them. These first few pictures were from when we went to the Sparrows Rainbow Village hospice for children and adults with HIV and AIDS. There were about 10 adults that lived there, but over 200 children that were there. Everyone there had HIV or AIDS, but most of the children were also orphaned because their parents &nbsp;died of the disease. Before we went in, the guide we were with told us to not think of it as a sad and depressing experience, as most of us would have, but to see it as a really positive and uplifting opportunity for these kids. When the hospice started years ago, they had a death every few months or so. Now, with everything they've been doing to help the kids, they haven't had a death in 5 years. Out of all the orphanages we went to, the kids at this one were by far the most grateful, loving, and full of hope that we met.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sktp5Fv12MQ/T9UM17-U3hI/AAAAAAAABlo/XsD29TmqSfA/s1600/1205-38+00234.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sktp5Fv12MQ/T9UM17-U3hI/AAAAAAAABlo/XsD29TmqSfA/s400/1205-38+00234.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of us playing <i>what time is it, Mr. Fox?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2VmKtqCCWFA/T9Q1Y2XpeYI/AAAAAAAABjY/4kYkPA9VePI/s1600/1205-38+00227.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2VmKtqCCWFA/T9Q1Y2XpeYI/AAAAAAAABjY/4kYkPA9VePI/s400/1205-38+00227.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing <i>Chinese freeze tag</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QidZrlHvzYU/T9Q4Jqcd77I/AAAAAAAABlE/apVpB1fJYCs/s1600/1205-38+00769.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QidZrlHvzYU/T9Q4Jqcd77I/AAAAAAAABlE/apVpB1fJYCs/s400/1205-38+00769.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The performers singing some songs for all the kids at the end.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zv9yAClKpbw/T9Q1Z9SDceI/AAAAAAAABjg/PLicgIuBdbg/s1600/1205-38+00958.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zv9yAClKpbw/T9Q1Z9SDceI/AAAAAAAABjg/PLicgIuBdbg/s400/1205-38+00958.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying "goodbye" to my new friends. Her name was Mbali, which means flower in Zulu.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We went for a day to Gaborone, Botswana. While there we visited the SOS children's orphanage. The kids there were by far the most crazy, rambunctious, and energetic we had met.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DZpq7siJJsQ/T9Q1cnCE-II/AAAAAAAABkI/mCUT9Hr091Y/s1600/1205-39+0029.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DZpq7siJJsQ/T9Q1cnCE-II/AAAAAAAABkI/mCUT9Hr091Y/s400/1205-39+0029.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 against 1. They put up a good fight...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5UCHi5gaZk/T9Q1dMiAiaI/AAAAAAAABkQ/Y0_2pFXfeL8/s1600/1205-39+0042.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5UCHi5gaZk/T9Q1dMiAiaI/AAAAAAAABkQ/Y0_2pFXfeL8/s400/1205-39+0042.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to bring me down.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbt53vSXM9g/T9Q1d12iQII/AAAAAAAABkY/cdnYpkGF1qM/s1600/1205-39+0200.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbt53vSXM9g/T9Q1d12iQII/AAAAAAAABkY/cdnYpkGF1qM/s400/1205-39+0200.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the performers sing and dance with Sizani and her brother Sizwe.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ievfCjCf1wc/T9Q1eez4msI/AAAAAAAABkg/HSvVg8IFU54/s1600/1205-39+0230.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ievfCjCf1wc/T9Q1eez4msI/AAAAAAAABkg/HSvVg8IFU54/s400/1205-39+0230.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandile came to join us.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One of our outreaches was actually an exchange with a local performing group in Pretoria. We taught them some songs and dance, and then we split up and got to work one on one with them to learn some great African songs and dances. I was able to get Sipho, their lead drummer, to sit down with me and help me with my djembe playing. It has always been a dream of mine to get a djembe lesson with a legit African djembe player.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhMnwzJZNDw/T9Q4Krek1UI/AAAAAAAABlM/0L98VatF1tw/s1600/1205-38+04220.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhMnwzJZNDw/T9Q4Krek1UI/AAAAAAAABlM/0L98VatF1tw/s400/1205-38+04220.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfecting my "slap" technique.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjPhF5lkPS4/T9Q1cBXAhHI/AAAAAAAABkA/YHH_KmWxI5U/s1600/1205-38+04232.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjPhF5lkPS4/T9Q1cBXAhHI/AAAAAAAABkA/YHH_KmWxI5U/s400/1205-38+04232.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on my "open tones."</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Each of us had brought a children's book with us that we were told would be donated to an elementary school and that we would get to read to a them.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezfQXtEs3oI/T9Q1e3IGp_I/AAAAAAAABko/b-5rPalA8YM/s1600/1205-39+0501.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezfQXtEs3oI/T9Q1e3IGp_I/AAAAAAAABko/b-5rPalA8YM/s400/1205-39+0501.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting off the bus. They really made us feel like rock stars.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HWV-qX_yc4/T9UW7Pc_hmI/AAAAAAAABl8/V2RK7i3fjX0/s1600/1205-38+01885.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HWV-qX_yc4/T9UW7Pc_hmI/AAAAAAAABl8/V2RK7i3fjX0/s400/1205-38+01885.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all broke up into groups to read books to the kids.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViHfZmCohDg/T9Q1boYqJwI/AAAAAAAABj4/-5BZ-V-iEO4/s1600/1205-38+01959.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViHfZmCohDg/T9Q1boYqJwI/AAAAAAAABj4/-5BZ-V-iEO4/s400/1205-38+01959.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend spencer and I got the best book of all... The Lion King! I read the narrations while Spencer did all the voices. We had a blast.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We visited the Children of Fire, a home for children who had suffered severe burns and didn't have money for the medical attention they needed. The lady who founded the Children of Fire has been able to get all of them the help they needed by convincing the doctors to help them free of charge. The sad thing is that about 2/3 of all the kids that have gone through the home were burned on purpose by their parents.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FAyh_MrHVM/T9Q1a3N2PdI/AAAAAAAABjw/xruSOAFMyXY/s1600/1205-38+01534.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FAyh_MrHVM/T9Q1a3N2PdI/AAAAAAAABjw/xruSOAFMyXY/s1600/1205-38+01534.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FAyh_MrHVM/T9Q1a3N2PdI/AAAAAAAABjw/xruSOAFMyXY/s1600/1205-38+01534.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FAyh_MrHVM/T9Q1a3N2PdI/AAAAAAAABjw/xruSOAFMyXY/s400/1205-38+01534.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boy on my knee is Charlie. He isn't burned, but is blind. He went to the same school as the Children of Fire.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These next few pictures are of a nursing home we went to. We talked with them and then sang songs with them. We sang a couple of African songs that we knew but mostly sang some of the hymns from our fireside. Although none of them were LDS, they all tried singing along with us. As we were leaving, one of the nurses, also not a member, stopped us and told us how she couldn't believe how the people there were affected by us singing with them. She said she saw some of them singing along with us that she never knew could even speak english! There was even one case where she saw a man singing with us who, in the whole time she had worked there, never knew he could even talk. It was a great lesson in the power of music and how it's the universal language.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07idfPtg_jM/T9UdcDYM5LI/AAAAAAAABmQ/n_JnzMQ1zh8/s1600/1205-38+01032.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07idfPtg_jM/T9UdcDYM5LI/AAAAAAAABmQ/n_JnzMQ1zh8/s400/1205-38+01032.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing "Thula Sizwe" with Themba.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrnT5E1BzC8/T9Udc7XLHvI/AAAAAAAABmY/I2l5VOpiMkU/s1600/1205-38+01140.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrnT5E1BzC8/T9Udc7XLHvI/AAAAAAAABmY/I2l5VOpiMkU/s400/1205-38+01140.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muW6gkJUZGQ/T9Q1aRtQKJI/AAAAAAAABjo/wmeZH0kMmiU/s1600/1205-38+01109.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muW6gkJUZGQ/T9Q1aRtQKJI/AAAAAAAABjo/wmeZH0kMmiU/s400/1205-38+01109.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here are a couple of random pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M92dQw4pYGI/T9UfwEemLdI/AAAAAAAABmg/wTFqkCflWdQ/s1600/1205-38+05504.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M92dQw4pYGI/T9UfwEemLdI/AAAAAAAABmg/wTFqkCflWdQ/s400/1205-38+05504.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0yAR3pjz7M/T9Q4Lap_bGI/AAAAAAAABlU/nc53-gfDAk4/s1600/1205-38+05607.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0yAR3pjz7M/T9Q4Lap_bGI/AAAAAAAABlU/nc53-gfDAk4/s400/1205-38+05607.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking to some girls at a Youth Conference we put on.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J4zE_Y1NDc4/T9Q1gNBw1KI/AAAAAAAABkw/ri8vKkdrqrk/s1600/1205-40+0302.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J4zE_Y1NDc4/T9Q1gNBw1KI/AAAAAAAABkw/ri8vKkdrqrk/s400/1205-40+0302.CR2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the high schools we went to. I really felt like I blended in there. Can you even spot me?</td></tr></tbody></table>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-35625338632674946322012-05-28T13:05:00.003-06:002012-05-28T13:05:54.693-06:00Southern Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I just returned from a month long journey through South Africa, Botswana, and Swaziland. I went as the drummer for the BYU Young Ambassadors. When we weren't busy performing our show or doing firesides, we did as many outreaches as we could fit in to our schedule. Most of our outreaches involved going to an orphanage, &nbsp;playing with the kids for a couple of hours, reading them books, doing a little performance for them, then leaving them with books, toys, candy, or other things that we brought or that were previously donated. We also visited an orphanage/hospice for children and adults who had HIV/AIDS, a home for children who were recovering from severe burns, and a couple of nursing homes. We also did quite a few workshops with high school aged kids where we performed for them, and then taught them a song and dance of sorts. Getting to know the people of Africa was one of my favorite things about going. They made us feel so welcomed, respected, and loved, and we couldn't get enough of each other. We stayed with members almost every night we were there. I was especially impressed with the members of the Church there. I was expecting that while we were there we were going to have to try to help strengthen and lift the Church members, but in reality they did that for us. The Church is very strong there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I didn't take may camera with me to our outreaches and so most of my pictures are of the more touristy things we did. We will start with my time at the Lion Park, where we got to play with lion cubs and feed giraffes. This was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-suOWl7D50cw/T8De5VNoNDI/AAAAAAAABfs/d3M5e-1v0_s/s1600/DSC04643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-suOWl7D50cw/T8De5VNoNDI/AAAAAAAABfs/d3M5e-1v0_s/s320/DSC04643.JPG" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here he is just nibbling on my leg.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8piRLW616Q/T8DfMdwnJMI/AAAAAAAABgk/D8TMqmdsZBY/s1600/DSC04752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8piRLW616Q/T8DfMdwnJMI/AAAAAAAABgk/D8TMqmdsZBY/s320/DSC04752.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now He's gnawing on my arm. Believe it or not, lions have very sharp teeth and their jaws are actually quite strong as well...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBATOi1Vj2c/T8De7_bCycI/AAAAAAAABf0/w2VAQE_NB4E/s1600/DSC04693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBATOi1Vj2c/T8De7_bCycI/AAAAAAAABf0/w2VAQE_NB4E/s320/DSC04693.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tender moment with the giraffe.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8AXwGOm2wY/T8De-mU_Y1I/AAAAAAAABf8/X2U_JR2Cn5o/s1600/DSC04697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8AXwGOm2wY/T8De-mU_Y1I/AAAAAAAABf8/X2U_JR2Cn5o/s320/DSC04697.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That tender moment turned in to quite the romantic exchange.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pWTHg0x2yY/T8DfGLQ5mDI/AAAAAAAABgU/JNSz-2_zc0w/s1600/DSC04747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pWTHg0x2yY/T8DfGLQ5mDI/AAAAAAAABgU/JNSz-2_zc0w/s320/DSC04747.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on his roar! Or yawning. Probably just yawning...</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBaF_180Wiw/T8DfJkUDYHI/AAAAAAAABgc/c1zqUecU7oo/s1600/DSC04748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBaF_180Wiw/T8DfJkUDYHI/AAAAAAAABgc/c1zqUecU7oo/s320/DSC04748.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Friends.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OtYw1cewSFs/T8DfBc-ftGI/AAAAAAAABgE/ZM962Jdebu4/s1600/DSC04737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OtYw1cewSFs/T8DfBc-ftGI/AAAAAAAABgE/ZM962Jdebu4/s320/DSC04737.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going in for the close up.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dAaOD0zl30/T8DfDqr2ZCI/AAAAAAAABgM/j8cq5GJMfeI/s1600/DSC04739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dAaOD0zl30/T8DfDqr2ZCI/AAAAAAAABgM/j8cq5GJMfeI/s320/DSC04739.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got too close... Right after the last picture was taken, the lion jumped up and chomped at my face. &nbsp;Luckily I was quick as lightening and escaped with my life. This pictures was taken in the process. There were signs all over that said that the park could not be held responsible for death or injury caused by the animals.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We also got to spend the night at Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves. We went on an early morning jeep ride through the park to try to see as many animals as we could. We ended up seeing quite a few that were way off in the distance, but the jeep I was in also came upon a family of rhinos sleeping in the road. We almost got close enough to touch them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tz_guFBLULo/T8DfP-6ipcI/AAAAAAAABgs/r7sk8b51euM/s1600/DSC04828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tz_guFBLULo/T8DfP-6ipcI/AAAAAAAABgs/r7sk8b51euM/s320/DSC04828.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wild Kruger National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFUqUZK-yGU/T8Dfaaw5J7I/AAAAAAAABhE/MrnGIxoen5w/s1600/DSC04846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFUqUZK-yGU/T8Dfaaw5J7I/AAAAAAAABhE/MrnGIxoen5w/s320/DSC04846.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a watering hole we stopped at. I took this pictures because there was a hippo sticking his head out of the water. I can't seem to find the hippo anymore... can you?</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HUgH3dRG2W4/T8DfTQyJ70I/AAAAAAAABg0/6OTc12okzx8/s1600/DSC04840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HUgH3dRG2W4/T8DfTQyJ70I/AAAAAAAABg0/6OTc12okzx8/s320/DSC04840.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are white rhinos, not the endangered black rhinos.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MV-Uh66z7WM/T8DfXIhUAlI/AAAAAAAABg8/cCoA9sEVHVU/s1600/DSC04843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MV-Uh66z7WM/T8DfXIhUAlI/AAAAAAAABg8/cCoA9sEVHVU/s320/DSC04843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These next pictures were taken from the bus on our way out of the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz8D8Y-vdgE/T8DgETb1gFI/AAAAAAAABjE/i25QIlXYTZ8/s1600/Giraffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz8D8Y-vdgE/T8DgETb1gFI/AAAAAAAABjE/i25QIlXYTZ8/s320/Giraffe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNiHwHIJwMs/T8DgD_r6XNI/AAAAAAAABi8/JXWDIqszE8o/s1600/Elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNiHwHIJwMs/T8DgD_r6XNI/AAAAAAAABi8/JXWDIqszE8o/s320/Elephant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">While in Swaziland, we took time to go to a cultural village which showcased traditional Swaziland homesteads and living conditions. At the end of the "tour" of their culture, they put on a 45 minute show with some traditional song and dance. Their signature move was to kick their leg aggressively over their head then rhythmically slam it back down on the ground. This was repeated many a time throughout the 45 minute presentation by both male and female.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kO8EHH4b8cQ/T8DfdaUSHhI/AAAAAAAABhM/Uc4-aFX5uHE/s1600/DSC04861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kO8EHH4b8cQ/T8DfdaUSHhI/AAAAAAAABhM/Uc4-aFX5uHE/s320/DSC04861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rj4FZJdHYw0/T8DffwMh0QI/AAAAAAAABhU/lYxHKr1rQSw/s1600/DSC04871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rj4FZJdHYw0/T8DffwMh0QI/AAAAAAAABhU/lYxHKr1rQSw/s320/DSC04871.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSgOZqdB6yQ/T8DfiQa5ljI/AAAAAAAABhc/bJCXM_N1nBw/s1600/DSC04883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSgOZqdB6yQ/T8DfiQa5ljI/AAAAAAAABhc/bJCXM_N1nBw/s320/DSC04883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">During a 3 day stay at Durban, we were given a couple hours of free time one afternoon to play on the beach. As much as I really don't care for water, swimming in the Indian ocean was great. Even though we were getting into winter weather in Africa, the water was plenty warm and delightful. Here is a picture of the beach we played on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLrmP9PW01E/T8Dfk9Y0-_I/AAAAAAAABhk/_IXkZv6U9OU/s1600/DSC04884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLrmP9PW01E/T8Dfk9Y0-_I/AAAAAAAABhk/_IXkZv6U9OU/s320/DSC04884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">These next two pictures are of the scenic coast we drove along on our way from Durban to Cape Town.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwzsehst9v4/T8Dfn6UmQWI/AAAAAAAABhs/O-Ny8UlI_Zk/s1600/DSC04892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwzsehst9v4/T8Dfn6UmQWI/AAAAAAAABhs/O-Ny8UlI_Zk/s320/DSC04892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fk1n0LmIG4o/T8Dfree-orI/AAAAAAAABh0/bNXb4u2wqVQ/s1600/DSC04896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fk1n0LmIG4o/T8Dfree-orI/AAAAAAAABh0/bNXb4u2wqVQ/s320/DSC04896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">While in Cape Town, we took a ferry to Robben Island, the place where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years during the apartheid era.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oBDTRmjfMtc/T8DfuAw3WiI/AAAAAAAABh8/JJ63k6FWwYw/s1600/DSC04939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oBDTRmjfMtc/T8DfuAw3WiI/AAAAAAAABh8/JJ63k6FWwYw/s320/DSC04939.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken from Robben Island looking back on to Table Mountain in Cape Town.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nR2WidyvAoE/T8DfwEzHahI/AAAAAAAABiE/TOZOlTWhl7I/s1600/DSC04958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nR2WidyvAoE/T8DfwEzHahI/AAAAAAAABiE/TOZOlTWhl7I/s320/DSC04958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On our last day in Africa, we stopped by Cape Point. This is where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet up and is also one of the most southern points of Africa. They say that at certain times you can actually see a pretty distinct line where the two oceans meet, but we were unable to spot it. I was skeptical of that, but it was confirmed by people who had been there before and had claimed to have been able to see the line. I was able to see that the two different oceans were different colors, though. Again, I've never been a huge fan of the ocean, but I will say that this was one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been. I'm sad that I'm not skilled enough with a camera to really capture it's beauty to do it justice, but just believe me that it was breathtaking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjXBGAf3-3w/T8Dfz6StIcI/AAAAAAAABiM/zN9_PUBqPOA/s1600/DSC05028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjXBGAf3-3w/T8Dfz6StIcI/AAAAAAAABiM/zN9_PUBqPOA/s320/DSC05028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4166XYTk2os/T8Df3zPLnkI/AAAAAAAABiU/n50UqaaEkgs/s1600/DSC05029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4166XYTk2os/T8Df3zPLnkI/AAAAAAAABiU/n50UqaaEkgs/s320/DSC05029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSEM35iGryI/T8Df9A7NnDI/AAAAAAAABic/UUsArQk6vmM/s1600/DSC05034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSEM35iGryI/T8Df9A7NnDI/AAAAAAAABic/UUsArQk6vmM/s320/DSC05034.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeDwPVhvcKY/T8Df_Cd8eGI/AAAAAAAABik/Nqcjmpkod3s/s1600/DSC05041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeDwPVhvcKY/T8Df_Cd8eGI/AAAAAAAABik/Nqcjmpkod3s/s320/DSC05041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBCG6_zgHfs/T8DgBzAfWiI/AAAAAAAABis/jWLYQwpSnFk/s1600/DSC05062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBCG6_zgHfs/T8DgBzAfWiI/AAAAAAAABis/jWLYQwpSnFk/s320/DSC05062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The point that I hope to make here is that Africa is amazing. I'm expecting to get my hands on some more pictures of some other things we did on tour, and once I do I'll add another post about it.</div><br />Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-75595308631143543162012-05-19T23:21:00.000-06:002012-05-19T23:21:28.899-06:00California's End....So I've been back in Utah for about week now, and am definitely missing California (and not only the place, but the Christopherson's too). These are some pictures from a trip we took to the beach in Santa Cruz. It was a little chilly that day, but was still so fun. We took the scenic drive from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, which was sooo beautiful. All of these pictures, by the way, are courtesy of Jennie. I'm sure it's obvious...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AivPX94cFDY/T7h6lfankiI/AAAAAAAABes/KRMitU-T7No/s1600/Aunt+Julia's+visit+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AivPX94cFDY/T7h6lfankiI/AAAAAAAABes/KRMitU-T7No/s320/Aunt+Julia's+visit+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steven loved throwing sand</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2h0DYkX-j0/T7h6mKOwOJI/AAAAAAAABe0/37zegAV4gMA/s1600/Aunt+Julia's+visit+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2h0DYkX-j0/T7h6mKOwOJI/AAAAAAAABe0/37zegAV4gMA/s320/Aunt+Julia's+visit+044.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and kicking sand</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_v4CV1jaAQ/T7h6nX13hvI/AAAAAAAABe8/f1YtEh7Lk9U/s1600/Aunt+Julia's+visit+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_v4CV1jaAQ/T7h6nX13hvI/AAAAAAAABe8/f1YtEh7Lk9U/s320/Aunt+Julia's+visit+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and digging in sand.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1F5lJ42XWG4/T7h6oGoXltI/AAAAAAAABfE/j3gPNDKVyz4/s1600/Aunt+Julia's+visit+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1F5lJ42XWG4/T7h6oGoXltI/AAAAAAAABfE/j3gPNDKVyz4/s320/Aunt+Julia's+visit+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He ended up in this tide pool</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X30GN8_MPps/T7h6qgzCZDI/AAAAAAAABfU/hn_LDYLDo7E/s1600/Aunt+Julia's+visit+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X30GN8_MPps/T7h6qgzCZDI/AAAAAAAABfU/hn_LDYLDo7E/s320/Aunt+Julia's+visit+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and I had to pretty much drag him out, after he sat in it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_EwJzLemJb8/T7h6pROnTWI/AAAAAAAABfM/n_Kz7Tyivso/s1600/Aunt+Julia's+visit+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_EwJzLemJb8/T7h6pROnTWI/AAAAAAAABfM/n_Kz7Tyivso/s320/Aunt+Julia's+visit+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBfN5uNJ8FE/T7h6us_M01I/AAAAAAAABfc/-KQiSLYH7JY/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBfN5uNJ8FE/T7h6us_M01I/AAAAAAAABfc/-KQiSLYH7JY/s320/IMG_0292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the one picture I took... from where I went running</td></tr></tbody></table>My Mom came back to Utah with me, and has been an amazing help. She and Steven are doing lots of bonding, while I try and work as much as possible to make up for the 2 1/2 weeks I took off. And TJ gets home tomorrow!!!!! I can't believe I survived this month! I know that the only reason I did is because of my amazing sister, Jennie, stepping in and helping whenever it was obvious I was loosing it; her husband, Cody, watching Steven so many times so Jennie and I could do so many fun things together; Junie, Olive, and Henry for keeping Steven so entertained; and my Mom for basically taking over since we've gotten back to Utah (I've gotten to sleep in almost the entire week!!!). I love my family :)Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-19258925388270851162012-05-06T23:31:00.000-06:002012-05-06T23:31:13.767-06:00FunSteven has just been having a great time here with his cousins. He loves playing with Junie, and even though he and Olive butt heads some times, they have some fun moments too. He also just loved running around! He can basically stay entertained for hours if he has a big open space to run around in.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymQJa0YtZPGS-yKcys4W6zcCbKgtMmHG6T5PTJeZpzNjQZdGak6wJKmQmqq7dDopNqAlcvhNm26yQWtLnELw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKVdPoiCF7U/T6dQBLNmy1I/AAAAAAAABeU/w1rJ9okfptk/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKVdPoiCF7U/T6dQBLNmy1I/AAAAAAAABeU/w1rJ9okfptk/s320/IMG_0276.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I like his other sunglasses better....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwP3YrGxhDnQ_WblaFL-DQIeujRo8xi1S7hkp3UuwmpGK96P27SwGHLAOwNGpUNSDGg8ztNJMBbU3K96WgDCQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Henry hasn't quite gotten used to us being here yet. He gets really sad whenever Jennie leaves, even just the room. The other day, she had to run somewhere, and so left Henry and Olive home with me. Olive did fine, but Henry didn't do so well. After he finally stopped crying, he was just sitting in front of the door, waiting for Jennie, until he finally just fell asleep. It was one of the saddest things ever. I fest so bad! I don't mean to be a big scary aunt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CU0bpNgGJuA/T6dPzStnkZI/AAAAAAAABeM/9Iyg0UI_SaM/s1600/IMG_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CU0bpNgGJuA/T6dPzStnkZI/AAAAAAAABeM/9Iyg0UI_SaM/s320/IMG_0267.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jennie and I have been working on redoing her kitchen chairs. When we were outside sanding them down, the kids all decided it would be fun to come over and help at some point or another. It didn't last very long, though...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_iMq9DKHfc/T6dQktI35pI/AAAAAAAABec/-I-A_vP52RA/s1600/IMG_0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_iMq9DKHfc/T6dQktI35pI/AAAAAAAABec/-I-A_vP52RA/s320/IMG_0277.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also got to go to Olive's music class with her. Steven loved it! They basically just sang lots of songs that pretty much always had actions that went with them. At one point, they even handed out percussion instruments. Steven was in heaven.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzkcjDGvGaC3iXEq7w70rBh_dJmmFN_2dHUGVH489Vyk-NsvKHm2hjW-rVQrT31WEUqQQ1RC2GXOz-i71Jwxg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So bottom line, we're still having so much fun here. I am so grateful for such a wonderful sister that will put up with me and my [mostly] crazy child for almost 3 weeks. She and Cody have been so so helpful, too. I definitely get overwhelmed sometimes, and with TJ not here to help out, they have saved me more than a few times. They're just great :) I'm excited for one more week!</div>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-50550889116213657842012-05-01T23:37:00.001-06:002012-05-06T21:44:19.218-06:00CaliforniaAs most of you know, TJ is now in Southern Africa! As of today, I believe he's in Botswana, but he's also been in Johannesburg and Soweto, South Africa (don't worry, he took the camera, so hopefully he'll be able to do an awesome post when he gets back). There are actually a few videos and pictures that the Young Ambassadors have posted on their Facebook page, so you should all check them out! Anyway, so he left early last tuesday morning. I stayed a few days longer in provo to get some work done, and then headed to California on thursday morning. The drive was <b>long&nbsp;</b>and pretty crazy with Steven, but he did pretty well, considering. He did spend a lot of time being pretty ridiculous, though, and yelling and throwing things at me. This, however, is how I choose to remember that trip.<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9htaunf1vw/T6C7pYTUUFI/AAAAAAAABbw/Lgpdd0icyu0/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9htaunf1vw/T6C7pYTUUFI/AAAAAAAABbw/Lgpdd0icyu0/s320/IMG_0247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>I'm so excited to be here visiting Jennie and her family!! Since I couldn't go to Africa, that happiest place I could think of being was here. Besides the fact that I absolutely love spending time with my sister and her family, I <i>love</i>&nbsp;california. I've never lived here, and before about a year and a half ago, had never even been here! I always knew I would love it though. I love the ocean, and love warm weather, so California seemed like the perfect place. I've had so much fun so far, too! They live near the bay in this little town called Benicia. I go on runs down by the marina, and they live basically right downtown, so we can walk everywhere. It's great. Also, it's been so nice to not be the only one around to entertain my child! Junie has especially been doing a great job playing with Steven a lot. Jennie has been <b>so</b>&nbsp;much help, too. I got some awesome videos of her playing with Steven, but of course only one would load...</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCS43_-DiTI-XkWsqfDLYlYoH-uZaRvO57HPHrmbBga1oCD4KkttzPIjL6af4dQM02tIHcwYIceAlL-kTG5Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took this last video today while Jennie and I were out at some shops. Steven was so excited to get on the ride, but then all of a sudden, not excited at all. He apparently had way more fun watching Henry ride, than actually riding himself. And Henry had a grand old time! A year younger and already so much braver... Steven's got some catching up to do!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqX9R73uBPWjllkd5zyp0DjJOxZ3rsK5cpVyb5JIPjowGmMarD1e3VVu8Fr7MiG8CxV8EWL_IsWaqlmvakRQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-34205467482294629782012-04-15T23:28:00.001-06:002012-04-15T23:28:47.510-06:00Birthdays and such...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;Steven is TWO!! I cannot believe it. Even though two is still so little, it seems so old to me right at this moment. He's finally out of the "months" phase. Now he's just 2. Not 25 months. Just 2. It's great. He's learning so much! I seriously think he learns a new word every day. He's still not quite caught up to where he should be, speech-wise, but he's getting there! He can now tell me when he poops (though sometimes he lies!), says "no" to almost everything and says everything is his ("MY"), never actually says yes if he agrees with something - always "k," talks about his favorite toys like his ball ("bop") and bike (though the bike isn't actually his), loves asking for juice and crackers (crack-crack), and is very good at saying "please!". He is really good at <u>not</u>&nbsp;obeying, but thinks it's hilarious, and gets away with far too much because he's just so darn cute! He also has gotten very into animal noises, though he hasn't quite figured out what all the animals say. He seems to think a giraffe goes "neigh" and any bird goes "quack-quack." Almost all the other noises he can't figure out he usually substitutes with "grrr," or maybe it's just the ones that look threatening. He hardly ever refers to animals by name, but if he sees one, he just starts talking to it! One great example of this is when we went to the duck pond to eat lunch on his birthday. He hardly ate anything because he was too busy trying to talk to the ducks!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWXZzqUfMbUeleCMRKPP_oJb6NdN4jeXr06kBmchsuBl0H7OTEtOm3YBew6O6ZM4BCAm-fQcS1YMcg6ZklUQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div>We didn't get to do much on his birthday besides this since conference was going on that day, but we did get him a cupcake that he picked out and got to eat all by himself!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwYSHvYEz6xCvCLXstTTKPAI6M0s4uN47HuRlLdjLFzBCjSuSbFxcPXkyxS4sl6Wnvwz0EjhEqe2VSxe_hDqQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br />Since we didn't do anything too special on his actual birthday, we wanted to have a little get together with family so he could have some more people to celebrate with. It's so great to have the Detro's so close! :)&nbsp;I was a little bit lazy this year with the cake, but I thought that since he loves balls so much, basketball cakes would be perfect! TJ decorated one, and Madison and Jared did the other one. Can you tell who did which one?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOhJj5yCbas/T4uSZwkjoCI/AAAAAAAABao/pmUvVSwwWnM/s1600/Madison's+Baptism+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOhJj5yCbas/T4uSZwkjoCI/AAAAAAAABao/pmUvVSwwWnM/s320/Madison's+Baptism+006.JPG" width="177" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_1SoJiaEds/T4uSd6Eip7I/AAAAAAAABaw/aEA7JXhfCSQ/s1600/Madison's+Baptism+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U_1SoJiaEds/T4uSd6Eip7I/AAAAAAAABaw/aEA7JXhfCSQ/s320/Madison's+Baptism+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDIDnQlvEB4/T4uSyEE9ZuI/AAAAAAAABbA/isdcbw_PreU/s1600/Madison's+Baptism+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDIDnQlvEB4/T4uSyEE9ZuI/AAAAAAAABbA/isdcbw_PreU/s320/Madison's+Baptism+019.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9buzPQyVc44/T4uSg6CySeI/AAAAAAAABa4/E2cSyo9UNkw/s1600/Madison's+Baptism+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9buzPQyVc44/T4uSg6CySeI/AAAAAAAABa4/E2cSyo9UNkw/s320/Madison's+Baptism+016.JPG" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COfeMi43VsQ/T4uS17fjJOI/AAAAAAAABbI/4AtUDYz0RjY/s1600/Madison's+Baptism+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COfeMi43VsQ/T4uS17fjJOI/AAAAAAAABbI/4AtUDYz0RjY/s320/Madison's+Baptism+023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steven also had his 2-year check-up. He's doing great! He was pretty much in the 75th %tile for everything, weighs exactly 30 lbs and unfortunately tore up the paper that has his height on it, so I can't remember exactly how tall he was... He did pretty well at the appointment, and it helped that the doctor let him play with all her stuff!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHAfsWtQG9w/T4uS3_a6cmI/AAAAAAAABbQ/WsnZ5wqXaKQ/s1600/IMG_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHAfsWtQG9w/T4uS3_a6cmI/AAAAAAAABbQ/WsnZ5wqXaKQ/s320/IMG_0374.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTEHr_woH4Y/T4uS6naD1aI/AAAAAAAABbY/ER6qGQzFFkc/s1600/IMG_0372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTEHr_woH4Y/T4uS6naD1aI/AAAAAAAABbY/ER6qGQzFFkc/s320/IMG_0372.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>&nbsp;With the money that we got from people for his birthday, we bought a new stroller! It is soooo nice! We have a friend in our ward that has one, and I've been waiting to find one on sale ever since I saw hers. So, we found it on sale and bought it! This is the box it came in. TJ sent me this picture at work when it came... I thought it was hilarious! (note caption on box...)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-Gxa7rD9bk/T4uS-Hp5SfI/AAAAAAAABbg/tzAs5v-adWY/s1600/IMG_0378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-Gxa7rD9bk/T4uS-Hp5SfI/AAAAAAAABbg/tzAs5v-adWY/s320/IMG_0378.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">These are a few random pictures we've taken recently that we thought were cute.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Steven playing peek-a-boo...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cLVNTrnVFw/T4uSPyZkpWI/AAAAAAAABaY/QsxT_kuuCPk/s1600/IMG_0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-odlsqy7t0/T4uSVZvh-qI/AAAAAAAABag/n79gqridIA8/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cLVNTrnVFw/T4uSPyZkpWI/AAAAAAAABaY/QsxT_kuuCPk/s200/IMG_0353.jpg" width="150" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-odlsqy7t0/T4uSVZvh-qI/AAAAAAAABag/n79gqridIA8/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-odlsqy7t0/T4uSVZvh-qI/AAAAAAAABag/n79gqridIA8/s200/IMG_0354.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="149" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and holding hands with his best friend, Tate. I just thought this was adorable... Tate loves holding hands with everyone, and so he and Steven do it all the time :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJtAxmoZGik/T4uhWuiqtrI/AAAAAAAABbo/iqCfawhxi9Q/s1600/IMG_0218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BJtAxmoZGik/T4uhWuiqtrI/AAAAAAAABbo/iqCfawhxi9Q/s320/IMG_0218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of Steven and TJ's favorite father-son activities is putting on some awesome drum videos, getting out their drumsticks, and jamming out together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzUq5ql7Okv_vJydLpbTIBhNznQZRsXdi0Ylx0y_rKRyhhW1GkZZ7u3auy5k87K81hBIk-KZJmzYfTXg3-KwA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205956018885109419.post-31539679083357026482012-03-18T19:18:00.000-06:002012-03-18T19:18:31.503-06:00Photo OpSo we have a good friend that lives above us that is just amazing. She is the one who took our family pictures this last time. She also crocheted a scarf for me and then taught me how to do it! The brown one is the one she made for me and I made the white one.<div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ocD_P95JQE/T2aGsLrJLwI/AAAAAAAABaI/GKEoN44eaQM/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ocD_P95JQE/T2aGsLrJLwI/AAAAAAAABaI/GKEoN44eaQM/s200/IMG_0343.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aREVKqCv0no/T2aGsgT0r8I/AAAAAAAABaQ/h7uqMUb9Q5Y/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aREVKqCv0no/T2aGsgT0r8I/AAAAAAAABaQ/h7uqMUb9Q5Y/s200/IMG_0346.jpg" width="150" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, she is so great and watches Steven whenever we need her to. One of the times she was watching him, she just randomly took some pictures of him, and they turned out SO adorable. He is obsessed with the red bike he's on. Every time we go outside (even if we're just going to the car) he runs out and yells, "bike!" and runs towards the stairwell where the bike is kept (since it actually doesn't belong to us). It's cute, but also a little inconvenient since we don't always have time to play with the bike, or&nbsp;sometimes&nbsp;there are other kids using it. Oh well...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dk0tJIV4vHs/T2Z_cDTV1VI/AAAAAAAABZA/Iy-2OR9mmxo/s1600/image-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dk0tJIV4vHs/T2Z_cDTV1VI/AAAAAAAABZA/Iy-2OR9mmxo/s320/image-10.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HP6tIf6crgE/T2Z_qdHqNOI/AAAAAAAABZI/OuIisMi6zPw/s1600/image-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HP6tIf6crgE/T2Z_qdHqNOI/AAAAAAAABZI/OuIisMi6zPw/s320/image-13.jpg" width="212" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uma6t4Zgrck/T2Z_9ssoJhI/AAAAAAAABZQ/bUsneGJS8VM/s1600/image-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uma6t4Zgrck/T2Z_9ssoJhI/AAAAAAAABZQ/bUsneGJS8VM/s320/image-14.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-pUZ3vq1QE/T2aAdceShjI/AAAAAAAABZY/1MEjsM9egNE/s1600/image-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-pUZ3vq1QE/T2aAdceShjI/AAAAAAAABZY/1MEjsM9egNE/s320/image-15.jpg" width="212" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-En-UdL0MScU/T2aBF-ksNiI/AAAAAAAABZg/X7uJ4FWJ8Uw/s1600/image-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-En-UdL0MScU/T2aBF-ksNiI/AAAAAAAABZg/X7uJ4FWJ8Uw/s320/image-16.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxpmuL1yW3w/T2aBlPhOPlI/AAAAAAAABZo/MHsxEcA545k/s1600/image-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxpmuL1yW3w/T2aBlPhOPlI/AAAAAAAABZo/MHsxEcA545k/s320/image-17.jpg" width="212" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKnUS2lDNNE/T2aCTdSGtbI/AAAAAAAABZ4/y7JwNNm0ufA/s1600/image-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKnUS2lDNNE/T2aCTdSGtbI/AAAAAAAABZ4/y7JwNNm0ufA/s320/image-9.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnWUcPB2_VM/T2aCPVYdFkI/AAAAAAAABZw/nAMVj1ClwCc/s1600/image-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnWUcPB2_VM/T2aCPVYdFkI/AAAAAAAABZw/nAMVj1ClwCc/s320/image-18.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This last picture is one we just took yesterday on the way home from buying Steven new shoes (since his feet are so fat that we seriously tried on at least 10 pairs before finding some that actually fit him).</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shCBtsUPWPw/T2aGq_Qh3uI/AAAAAAAABaA/ZzdNPW9Q_QU/s1600/IMG_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shCBtsUPWPw/T2aGq_Qh3uI/AAAAAAAABaA/ZzdNPW9Q_QU/s320/IMG_0337.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div>Julia Peperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12875607141435519004noreply@blogger.com9